title:
Studying the X-ray hysteresis in GX 339-4: the disc and iron line over
  one decade

abstract:
  We report on a comprehensive and consistent investigation into the X-ray
emission from GX 339-4. All public observations in the 11 year RXTE archive
were analysed. Three different types of model - single powerlaw, broken
powerlaw and a disc + powerlaw - were fitted to investigate the evolution of
the disc, along with a fixed gaussian component at 6.4 keV to investigate any
iron line in the spectrum. We show that the relative variation in flux and
X-ray colour between the two best sampled outbursts are very similar. The decay
of the disc temperature during the outburst is clearly seen in the soft state.
The expected decay is S_Disc \propto T^4; we measure T^4.75\pm0.23. This
implies that the inner disc radius is approximately constant in the soft state.
We also show a significant anti-correlation between the iron line significant
width and the X-ray flux in the soft state while in the hard state the EW is
independent of the flux. This results in hysteresis in the relation between
X-ray flux and both line flux and EW. To compare the X-ray binary outburst to
the behaviour seen in AGN, we construct a Disc Fraction Luminosity Diagram for
GX 339-4, the first for an X-ray binary. The shape qualitatively matches that
produced for AGN. Linking this with the radio emission from GX 339-4 the change
in radio spectrum between the disc and power-law dominated states is clearly
visible.


title: From Random Graph to Small World by Wandering

abstract:
  Numerous studies show that most known real-world complex networks share
similar properties in their connectivity and degree distribution. They are
called small worlds. This article gives a method to turn random graphs into
Small World graphs by the dint of random walks.


title:
Predictor-Corrector Preconditioners for Newton-Krylov Solvers in Fluid
  Problems

abstract:
  We propose an alternative implementation of preconditioning techniques for
the solution of non-linear problems. Within the framework of Newton-Krylov
methods, preconditioning techniques are needed to improve the performance of
the solvers. We propose a different implementation approach to re-utilize
existing semi-implicit methods to precondition fully implicit non-linear
schemes. We propose a predictor-corrector approach where the fully non-linear
scheme is the corrector and the pre-existing semi-implicit scheme is the
predictor. The advantage of the proposed approach is that it allows to retrofit
existing codes, with only minor modifications, in particular avoiding the need
to reformulate existing methods in terms of variations, as required instead by
other approaches now currently used. To test the performance of the approach we
consider a non-linear diffusion problem and the standard driven cavity problem
for incompressible flows.


title: Phantom thick brane in 5D bulk

abstract:
  A model of a thick brane in 5D bulk supported by two phantom scalar fields is
considered. The comparison with a thick brane supported by two usual scalar
fields is carried out. The distinctions between a thick brane supported by one
usual scalar field and our model have been pointed out.


title: Proving Touchard's Theorem From Euler's Form

abstract:
  This paper derives Touchard's theorem from Euler's form for odd perfect
numbers. It also fine-tunes Euler's form.


title: Friedmann Thermodynamics and the Geometry of the Universe

abstract:
  In a recent article we have introduced Friedmann thermodynamics, where
certain geometric parameters in Friedmann models are treated like their
thermodynamic counterparts (temperature, entropy, Gibbs potential etc.). This
model has the advantage of allowing us to determine the geometry of the
universe by thermodynamic stability arguments. In this article we review
connections between thermodynamics, geometry and cosmology.


title: Uniform Eberlein spaces and the finite axiom of choice

abstract:
  We work in set-theory without choice $\ZF$. Given a closed subset $F$ of
$[0,1]^I$ which is a bounded subset of $\ell^1(I)$ ({\em resp.} such that $F
\subseteq \ell^0(I)$), we show that the countable axiom of choice for finite
subsets of $I$, ({\em resp.} the countable axiom of choice $\ACD$) implies that
$F$ is compact. This enhances previous results where $\ACD$ ({\em resp.} the
axiom of Dependent Choices $\DC$) was required. Moreover, if $I$ is linearly
orderable (for example $I=\IR$), the closed unit ball of $\ell^2(I)$ is weakly
compact (in $\ZF$).


title:
Timeline analysis and wavelet multiscale analysis of the AKARI All-Sky
  Survey at 90 micron

abstract:
  We present a careful analysis of the point source detection limit of the
AKARI All-Sky Survey in the WIDE-S 90 $\mu$m band near the North Ecliptic Pole
(NEP). Timeline Analysis is used to detect IRAS sources and then a conversion
factor is derived to transform the peak timeline signal to the interpolated 90
$\mu$m flux of a source. Combined with a robust noise measurement, the point
source flux detection limit at S/N $>5$ for a single detector row is
$1.1\pm0.1$ Jy which corresponds to a point source detection limit of the
survey of $\sim$0.4 Jy.
  Wavelet transform offers a multiscale representation of the Time Series Data
(TSD). We calculate the continuous wavelet transform of the TSD and then search
for significant wavelet coefficients considered as potential source detections.
To discriminate real sources from spurious or moving objects, only sources with
confirmation are selected. In our multiscale analysis, IRAS sources selected
above $4\sigma$ can be identified as the only real sources at the Point Source
Scales. We also investigate the correlation between the non-IRAS sources
detected in Timeline Analysis and cirrus emission using wavelet transform and
contour plots of wavelet power spectrum. It is shown that the non-IRAS sources
are most likely to be caused by excessive noise over a large range of spatial
scales rather than real extended structures such as cirrus clouds.


title: Joule heating in high magnetic field pulsars

abstract:
  We study the efficiency of Joule heating in the crustal layers of young
neutron stars. It is shown that dissipation of the magnetic field is highly
inhomogeneous in the crust with much faster dissipation in relatively low
density layers. In young neutron stars, the rate of Joule heating in the crust
can exceed the standard luminosity of non-magnetic star and can even be
comparable to the luminosity of magnetars. The results of calculations are
compared with the available observational data. We argue that the crustal field
model can well account for the data on the surface temperature and magnetic
field of young neutron stars.


title: Riffles, ruffles, and the turning algebra

abstract:
  The rising algebra is a subalgebra of the group algebra of the symmetric
group S_n, gotten by lumping together permutations having the same number of
rising sequences. This well-known algebra arises naturally when studying riffle
shuffles. Here we introduce a number of other subalgebras that arise naturally
when studying `ruffles', which are like riffles except that after cutting the
deck you turn over the bunch of cards that were on the bottom.
  This orphaned draft offers no context or motivation, and uses idiosyncratic
notation and terminology that `seemed like a good idea at the time'. We're
making it available because it has been cited in this form.


title: Renormalization of the two-dimensional Lotka--Volterra model

abstract:
  We show that renormalized two-dimensional Lotka--Volterra models near
criticality converge to a super-Brownian motion. This is used to establish
long-term survival of a rare type for a range of parameter values near the
voter model.


title: The beam energy calibration system for the BEPC-II collider

abstract:
  This document contains a proposal of the BEPC-II collider beam energy
calibration system (IHEP, Beijing). The system is based on Compton
backscattering of carbon dioxide laser radiation, producing a beam of high
energy photons. Their energy spectrum is then accurately measured by HPGe
detector. The high-energy spectrum edge will allow to determine the average
electron or positron beam energy with relative accuracy about 3x10^-5.


title:
From the conserved Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation to a coalescing
  particles model

abstract:
  The conserved Kuramoto-Sivashinsky (CKS) equation, u_t = -(u+u_xx+u_x^2)_xx,
has recently been derived in the context of crystal growth, and it is also
strictly related to a similar equation appearing, e.g., in sand-ripple
dynamics. We show that this equation can be mapped into the motion of a system
of particles with attractive interactions, decaying as the inverse of their
distance. Particles represent vanishing regions of diverging curvature, joined
by arcs of a single parabola, and coalesce upon encounter. The coalescing
particles model is easier to simulate than the original CKS equation. The
growing interparticle distance \ell represents coarsening of the system, and we
are able to establish firmly the scaling \ell(t) \sim \sqrt{t}. We obtain its
probability distribution function, g(\ell), numerically, and study it
analytically within the hypothesis of uncorrelated intervals, finding an
overestimate at large distances. Finally, we introduce a method based on
coalescence waves which might be useful to gain better analytical insights into
the model.


title:
The Origins and Physical Properties of the Complex of Local Interstellar
  Clouds

abstract:
  The Complex of Local Interstellar Clouds (CLIC) is a relatively tight
grouping of low density, warm, partially ionized clouds within about 15 pc of
the Solar System. The Local Interstellar Cloud (LIC) is the cloud observed on
most lines of sight and may be the cloud that immediately surrounds our Solar
System, the properties of which set the outer boundary conditions of the
heliosphere. Using absorption line data toward nearby stars, in situ
observations of inflowing interstellar gas from spacecraft in the Solar System,
and theoretical modeling of the interstellar radiation field and radiative
transfer, we can deduce many characteristics of the LIC. We find that the LIC
is partially ionized with modest electron density, n(e) ~ 0.07 cm^-3. The
combination of its temperature and ionization favor photoionization/thermal
equilibrium over a non-equilibrium cooling cloud picture. The abundances in the
LIC suggest moderate dust destruction for silicate dust but complete
destruction of carbonaceous grains. An origin for the LIC as a density
enhancement in the ambient medium that has been overrun by a shock seems
likely, while its velocity away from the Sco-Cen association points to a
possible connection to that region and the Loop I bubble.


title: Estimating correlation from high, low, opening and closing prices

abstract:
  In earlier studies, the estimation of the volatility of a stock using
information on the daily opening, closing, high and low prices has been
developed; the additional information in the high and low prices can be
incorporated to produce unbiased (or near-unbiased) estimators with
substantially lower variance than the simple open--close estimator. This paper
tackles the more difficult task of estimating the correlation of two stocks
based on the daily opening, closing, high and low prices of each. If we had
access to the high and low values of some linear combination of the two log
prices, then we could use the univariate results via polarization, but this is
not data that is available. The actual problem is more challenging; we present
an unbiased estimator which halves the variance.


title: Is a Dissipative Regime During Inflation in Agreement with Observations?

abstract:
  We study the spectral index of curvature perturbations for inflationary
models where the driving scalar field is coupled to a relativistic fluid
through a friction term $\Gamma$. We find that only a very small friction term
- $\Gamma \ll H$, with H being the Hubble parameter during inflation - is
allowed by observations, otherwise curvature fluctuations are generated with a
spectral index $n_s$ unacceptably red. These results are generic with respect
to the inflationary potential and known dependence of the friction term on the
scalar field and the energy density of the relativistic fluid. We compare our
findings with previous investigations.


title: Symanzik's Method Applied To The Fractional Quantum Hall Edge States

abstract:
  In this paper we consider an abelian Chern-Simons theory with plane boundary
and we show, following Symankiz's quite general approach, how the known results
for edge states in the Laughlin series can be derived in a systematic way by
the separability condition. Moreover we show that the conserved boundary
currents find a natural and explicit interpretation in terms of the continuity
equation and the Tomonaga-Luttinger commutation relation for electronic density
is recovered.


title: Rise of the centrist: from binary to continuous opinion dynamics

abstract:
  We propose a model that extends the binary ``united we stand, divided we
fall'' opinion dynamics of Sznajd-Weron to handle continuous and multi-state
discrete opinions. Disagreement dynamics are often ignored in continuous
extensions of the binary rules, so we make the most symmetric continuum
extension of the binary model that can treat the consequences of agreement
(debate) and disagreement (confrontation) within a population of agents. We use
the continuum extension as an opportunity to develop rules for persistence of
opinion (memory). Rules governing the propagation of centrist views are also
examined. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out. We find that both memory
effects and the type of centrist significantly modify the variance of average
opinions in the large timescale limits of the models. Finally, we describe the
limit of applicability for Sznajd-Weron's model of binary opinions as the
continuum limit is approached. By comparing Monte Carlo results and long
time-step limits, we find that the opinion dynamics of binary models are
significantly different to those where agents are permitted more than 3
opinions.


title: Supersymmetric Leptogenesis and the Gravitino Bound

abstract:
  Supersymmetric thermal leptogenesis with a hierarchical right-handed neutrino
mass spectrum requires the mass of the lightest right-handed neutrino to be
heavier than about 10^9 GeV. This is in conflict with the upper bound on the
reheating temperature which is found by imposing that the gravitinos generated
during the reheating stage after inflation do not jeopardize successful
nucleosynthesis. In this paper we show that a solution to this tension is
actually already incorporated in the framework, because of the presence of flat
directions in the supersymmetric scalar potential. Massive right-handed
neutrinos are efficiently produced non-thermally and the observed baryon
asymmetry can be explained even for a reheating temperature respecting the
gravitino bound if two conditions are satisfied: the initial value of the flat
direction must be close to Planckian values and the phase-dependent terms in
the flat direction potential are either vanishing or sufficiently small.


title: Smooth ergodic theory

abstract:
  This is an expository article/encyclopedia entry explaining the history,
techniques, and central results in the field of smooth ergodic theory.


title: Carbon Nanotube Quantum Dots with Nb Contacts

abstract:
  We report on the preparation of carbon nanotube quantum dots using
superconducting electrodes made of niobium. Gate-controllable supercurrents
with values of up to 30 nA are induced by the proximity effect. The IV-curves
are hysteretic at low temperature and the corresponding switching histograms
have a width of ~0.5-2. An on-chip resistive environment integrated in the
sample layout is used in order to increase the switching current.


title: A note on the quantum of time

abstract:
  Quantum mechanics rests on the assumption that time is a classical variable.
As such, classical time is assumed to be measurable with infinite accuracy.
However, all real clocks are subject to quantum fluctuations, which leads to
the existence of a nonzero uncertainty in the time variable. The existence of a
quantum of time modifies the Heisenberg evolution equation for observables. In
this letter we propose and analyse a generalisation of Heisenberg's equation
for observables evolving in real time (the time variable measured by real
clocks), that takes the existence of a quantum of time into account. This
generalisation of Heisenberg's equation turns out to be a delay-differential
equation.


title: Andreev reflection and spin polarization measurement of Co/YBCO junction

abstract:
  We report temperature dependent Andreev reflection measurements of Co/
Y$_{1}$Ba$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta}$ (YBCO) heterostructure samples with
junction areas of 1 $\mu$m diameter. Modelling of the 5-70 K conductivity data
according to a modified Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk theory yields a spin
polarization in Co film amounting to 34% which is almost constant up to 70 K.
The YBCO films have been grown by pulsed laser deposition on sapphire
substrates. The Co films are deposited by thermal evaporation on YBCO. The film
is characterized by powder X-ray diffraction measurements which shows YBCO is
grown in (001) direction.The critical current density, 5 x 10$^{6}$ A/cm$^{2}$,
in YBCO remains nearly constant after deposition of Co at zero field and 77 K.


title: Magnetic Schr\"odinger operators on armchair nanotubes

abstract:
  We consider the Schr\"odinger operator with a periodic potential on a quasi
1D continuous periodic model of armchair nanotubes in $\R^3$ in a uniform
magnetic field (with amplitude $B\in \R$), which is parallel to the axis of the
nanotube. The spectrum of this operator consists of an absolutely continuous
part (spectral bands separated by gaps) plus an infinite number of eigenvalues
with infinite multiplicity. We describe all eigenfunctions with the same
eigenvalue including compactly supported. We describe the spectrum as a
function of $B$. For some specific potentials we prove an existence of gaps
independent on the magnetic field. If $B\ne 0$, then there exists an infinite
number of gaps $G_n$ with the length $|G_n|\to\iy$ as $n\to\iy$, and we
determine the asymptotics of the gaps at high energy for fixed $B$. Moreover,
we determine the asymptotics of the gaps $G_n$ as $B\to 0$ for fixed $n$.


title: Two Dimensional Noncommutativity and Gravitational Quantum Well

abstract:
  The representations of position and momentum operators of a planar phase
space having both position and momentum noncommutativity are obtained. Using
these representations the dynamics of a particle in a gravitational quantum
well is studied to calculate the upper bounds of the noncommutative parameters.


title: Extremality and designs in spaces of quadratic forms

abstract:
  A well known theorem of Voronoi caracterizes extreme quadratic forms and
Euclidean lattices, that is those which are local maxima for the Hermite
function, as perfect and eutactic. This caracterization has been extended in
various cases, such that family of lattices, sections of lattices, Humbert
forms, etc. Moreover, there is a criterion for extreme lattices, discovered by
Venkov, formulated in terms of spherical designs which has been extended in the
case of Grassmannians and sections of lattices. In this article, we define a
general frame, in which there is a ``Voronoi characterization'', and a ``Venkov
criterion'' through an appropriate notion of design. This frame encompasses
many interesting situations in which a ``Voronoi characterization'' has been
proved. We also discuss the question of extremality relatively to the Epstein
zeta function, and we extend to our frame a characterization of final
zeta-extremality formulated by Delone and Ryshkov and a criterion in terms of
designs found by Coulangeon.


title:
Charge frustration and quantum criticality for strongly correlated
  fermions

abstract:
  We study a model of strongly correlated electrons on the square lattice which
exhibits charge frustration and quantum critical behavior. The potential is
tuned to make the interactions supersymmetric. We establish a rigorous
mathematical result which relates quantum ground states to certain tiling
configurations on the square lattice. For periodic boundary conditions this
relation implies that the number of ground states grows exponentially with the
linear dimensions of the system. We present substantial analytic and numerical
evidence that for open boundary conditions the system has gapless edge modes.


title: Equilibrium free energies from non-equilibrium metadynamics

abstract:
  In this paper we propose a new formalism to map history-dependent
metadynamics in a Markovian process. We apply this formalism to a model
Langevin dynamics and determine the equilibrium distribution of a collection of
simulations. We demonstrate that the reconstructed free energy is an unbiased
estimate of the underlying free energy and analytically derive an expression
for the error. The present results can be applied to other history-dependent
stochastic processes such as Wang-Landau sampling.


title: Moduli fixing and T-duality in Type II brane gas models

abstract:
  We consider a compactification with a six-dimensional torus in the type II
brane gas models. We show that the dilaton and the scale of each cycle of the
internal space are fixed in the presence of NS5-brane and Kaluza-Klein
monopoles as well as D-branes with the gauge fields. We can construct various
models that lead to fixed moduli by using T-duality transformations.


title:
New Physics at the International Facility for Antiproton and Ion
  Research (FAIR) Next to GSI

abstract:
  The project of the international Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research
(FAIR), co-located to the GSI facility in Darmstadt, has been officially
started on November 7, 2007. The current plans of the facility and the planned
research program will be described. An investment of about 1 billion euro will
permit new physics programs in the areas of low and medium energy antiproton
research, heavy ion physics complementary to LHC, as well as in nuclear
structure and astrophysics. The facility will comprise about a dozen
accelerators and storage rings, which will enable simultaneous operations of up
to four different beams.


title:
Measurement of e+e- -> phi -> K+K- cross section with the CMD-2 detector
  at VEPP-2M Collider

abstract:
  The process e+ e- -> phi -> K+ K- has been studied with the CMD-2 detector
using about 542 000 events detected in the center-of-mass energy range from
1.01 to 1.034 GeV. The systematic error of the cross section is estimated to be
2.2%. The phi(1020) meson parameters in the phi -> K+K- decay channel have been
measured: sigma_0(phi-> K+K-) = 2016 +- 8 +- 44 nb, m(phi) = 1019.441 +- 0.008
+- 0.080 MeV/c2, Gamma(phi) = 4.24 +- 0.02 +- 0.03 MeV, B(e+e-)B(K+K-) = (14.27
+- 0.05 +- 0.31)*10(-5).


title:
Continuation of connecting orbits in 3D-ODEs: (II) Cycle-to-cycle
  connections

abstract:
  In Part I of this paper we discussed new methods for the numerical
continuation of point-to-cycle connecting orbits in 3-dimensional autonomous
ODE's using projection boundary conditions. In this second part we extend the
method to the numerical continuation of cycle-to-cycle connecting orbits. In
our approach, the projection boundary conditions near the cycles are formulated
using eigenfunctions of the associated adjoint variational equations, avoiding
costly and numerically unstable computations of the monodromy matrices. The
equations for the eigenfunctions are included in the defining boundary-value
problem, allowing a straightforward implementation in AUTO, in which only the
standard features of the software are employed. Homotopy methods to find the
connecting orbits are discussed in general and illustrated with an example from
population dynamics. Complete AUTO demos, which can be easily adapted to any
autonomous 3-dimensional ODE system, are freely available.


title: Transforming quantum operations: quantum supermaps

abstract:
  We introduce the concept of quantum supermap, describing the most general
transformation that maps an input quantum operation into an output quantum
operation. Since quantum operations include as special cases quantum states,
effects, and measurements, quantum supermaps describe all possible
transformations between elementary quantum objects (quantum systems as well as
quantum devices). After giving the axiomatic definition of supermap, we prove a
realization theorem, which shows that any supermap can be physically
implemented as a simple quantum circuit. Applications to quantum programming,
cloning, discrimination, estimation, information-disturbance trade-off, and
tomography of channels are outlined.


title: Monogamy equality in $2\otimes 2 \otimes d$ quantum systems

abstract:
  There is an interesting property about multipartite entanglement, called the
monogamy of entanglement. The property can be shown by the monogamy inequality,
called the Coffman-Kundu-Wootters inequality [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 61}, 052306
(2000); Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 96}, 220503 (2006)], and more explicitly by the
monogamy equality in terms of the concurrence and the concurrence of
assistance, $\mathcal{C}_{A(BC)}^2=\mathcal{C}_{AB}^2+(\mathcal{C}_{AC}^a)^2$,
in the three-qubit system. In this paper, we consider the monogamy equality in
$2\otimes 2 \otimes d$ quantum systems. We show that
$\mathcal{C}_{A(BC)}=\mathcal{C}_{AB}$ if and only if $\mathcal{C}_{AC}^a=0$,
and also show that if $\mathcal{C}_{A(BC)}=\mathcal{C}_{AC}^a$ then
$\mathcal{C}_{AB}=0$, while there exists a state in a $2\otimes 2 \otimes d$
system such that $\mathcal{C}_{AB}=0$ but
$\mathcal{C}_{A(BC)}>\mathcal{C}_{AC}^a$.


title:
Dynamical Stabilization of the Fermi Scale: Phase Diagram of Strongly
  Coupled Theories for (Minimal) Walking Technicolor and Unparticles

abstract:
  We summarize basic features associated to dynamical breaking of the
electroweak symmetry. The knowledge of the phase diagram of strongly coupled
theories as function of the number of colors, flavors and matter representation
plays a fundamental role when trying to construct viable extensions of the
standard model (SM). Therefore we will report on the status of the phase
diagram for SU(N) gauge theories with fermionic matter transforming according
to arbitrary representations of the underlying gauge group. We will discuss how
the phase diagram can be used to construct unparticle models. We will then
review Minimal Walking Technicolor (MWT) and other extensions, such as
partially gauged and split technicolor. MWT is a sufficiently general, symmetry
wise, model to be considered as a benchmark for any model aiming at breaking
the electroweak symmetry dynamically. The unification of the standard model
gauge couplings will be revisited within technicolor extensions of the SM. A
number of appendices are added to review some basic methods and to provide
useful details. In one of the appendices we will show how to gain information
on the spectrum of strongly coupled theories relevant for new extensions of the
SM by introducing and using alternative large N limits.


title: On the q-meromorphic Weyl algebra

abstract:
  We introduce a q-analogue MW_q for the meromorphic Weyl algebra, and study
the normalization problem and the symmetric powers sym^n(MW_q) for such algebra
from a combinatorial viewpoint.


title: Liouville Equation in 1/8 BPS Geometries

abstract:
  We investigate the 1/8 BPS geometries with SU(2) x U(1) x SO(4) x R symmetry
in IIB supergravity which were classified by Gava et al, (hep-th/0611065). It
is desirable to have a complete set of differential equations imposed on the
controlling functions such that they are not only necessary but also sufficient
to produce supergravity solutions with those symmetries. We work on this issue
and find a new differential equation for the controlling functions. For a
special case, we exhaust all the remaining constraints and show that they
reduce to one Liouville equation. The solutions of this equation produce
geometries which are locally equivalent to the near horizon geometries of
intersecting D3-branes.


title:
Log-Normal continuous cascades: aggregation properties and estimation.
  Application to financial time-series

abstract:
  Log-normal continuous random cascades form a class of multifractal processes
that has already been successfully used in various fields. Several statistical
issues related to this model are studied. We first make a quick but extensive
review of their main properties and show that most of these properties can be
analytically studied. We then develop an approximation theory of these
processes in the limit of small intermittency $\lambda^2\ll 1$, i.e., when the
degree of multifractality is small. This allows us to prove that the
probability distributions associated with these processes possess some very
simple aggregation properties accross time scales. Such a control of the
process properties at different time scales, allows us to address the problem
of parameter estimation. We show that one has to distinguish two different
asymptotic regimes: the first one, referred to as the ''low frequency regime'',
corresponds to taking a sample whose overall size increases whereas the second
one, referred to as the ''high frequency regime'', corresponds to sampling the
process at an increasing sampling rate. We show that, the first regime leads to
convergent estimators whereas, in the high frequency regime, the situation is
much more intricate : only the intermittency coefficient $\lambda^2$ can be
estimated using a consistent estimator. However, we show that, in practical
situations, one can detect the nature of the asymptotic regime (low frequency
versus high frequency) and consequently decide whether the estimations of the
other parameters are reliable or not. We finally illustrate how both our
results on parameter estimation and on aggregation properties, allow one to
successfully use these models for modelization and prediction of financial time
series.


title:
Strong electron-phonon coupling of the Fe breathing mode of
  LaO_{1-x}F_xFeAs

abstract:
  The electron-phonon coupling of LaO$_{1-x}$F$_x$FeAs is re-investigated on
the basis of density functional theory in local density approximation. The
implications of the $(\pi,\pi)$ nesting of the Fermi surfaces are carefully
studied and found to lead to a non-standard electron-phonon coupling of the
corresponding Fe in-plane breathing mode, which might make a strong
contribution to the high superconducting transition temperature. The
semi-metallic behavior of the undoped material is also further illuminated.


title:
The Delocalized Effective Degrees of Freedom of a Black Hole at Low
  Frequencies

abstract:
  Identifying the fundamental degrees of freedom of a black hole poses a
long-standing puzzle. In hep-th/0511133 Goldberger and Rothstein forwarded a
theory of the low frequency degrees of freedom within the effective field
theory approach, where they are relevancy-ordered but of unclear physical
origin. Here these degrees of freedom are identified with near-horizon but
non-compact gravitational perturbations which are decomposed into delocalized
multipoles. Their world-line (kinetic) action is determined within the
classical effective field theory (CLEFT) approach and their interactions are
discussed. The case of the long-wavelength scattering of a scalar wave off a
Schwarzschild black hole is treated in some detail, interpreting within the
CLEFT approach the equality of the leading absorption cross section with the
horizon area.


title: Support Vector Machine Classification with Indefinite Kernels

abstract:
  We propose a method for support vector machine classification using
indefinite kernels. Instead of directly minimizing or stabilizing a nonconvex
loss function, our algorithm simultaneously computes support vectors and a
proxy kernel matrix used in forming the loss. This can be interpreted as a
penalized kernel learning problem where indefinite kernel matrices are treated
as a noisy observations of a true Mercer kernel. Our formulation keeps the
problem convex and relatively large problems can be solved efficiently using
the projected gradient or analytic center cutting plane methods. We compare the
performance of our technique with other methods on several classic data sets.


title: Phase behavior of parallel hard cylinders

abstract:
  We test the performance of a recently proposed fundamental measure density
functional of aligned hard cylinders by calculating the phase diagram of a
monodisperse fluid of these particles. We consider all possible liquid
crystalline symmetries, namely nematic, smectic and columnar, as well as the
crystalline phase. For this purpose we introduce a Gaussian parameterization of
the density profile and use it to minimize numerically the functional. We also
determine, from the analytic expression for the structure factor of the uniform
fluid, the bifurcation points from the nematic to the smectic and columnar
phases. The equation of state, as obtained from functional minimization, is
compared to the available Monte Carlo simulation. The agreement is is very
good, nearly perfect in the description of the inhomogeneous phases. The
columnar phase is found to be metastable with respect to the smectic or crystal
phases, its free energy though being very close to that of the stable phases.
This result justifies the observation of a window of stability of the columnar
phase in some simulations, which disappears as the size of the system
increases. The only important deviation between theory and simulations shows up
in the location of the nematic-smectic transition. This is the common drawback
of any fundamental measure functional of describing the uniform phase just with
the accuracy of scaled particle theory.


title: Quantum Mechanical Basis of Vision

abstract:
  The two striking components of retina, i.e., the light sensitive neural layer
in the eye, by which it responds to light are (the three types of) color
sensitive Cones and color insensitive Rods (which outnumber the cones 20:1).
The interaction between electromagnetic radiation and these photoreceptors
(causing transitions between cis- and trans- states of rhodopsin molecules in
the latter) offers a prime example of physical processes at the nano-bio
interface. After a brief review of the basic facts about vision, we propose a
quantum mechanical model (paralleling the Jaynes-Cummings model (JCM) of
interaction of light with matter) of early vision describing the interaction of
light with the two states of rhodopsin mentioned above. Here we model the early
essential steps in vision incorporating, separately, the two well-known
features of retinal transduction (converting light to neural signals): small
numbers of cones respond to bright light (large number of photons) and large
numbers of rods respond to faint light (small number of photons) with an
amplification scheme. An outline of the method of solution of these respective
models based on quantum density matrix is also indicated. This includes a brief
overview of the theory, based on JCM, of signal amplification required for the
perception of faint light. We envision this methodology, which brings a novel
quantum approach to modeling neural activity, to be a useful paradigm in
developing a better understanding of key visual processes than is possible with
currently available models that completely ignore quantum effects at the
relevant neural level.


title: Dipolar spinor Bose-Einstein condensates

abstract:
  Under many circumstances, the only important two-body interaction between
atoms in ultracold dilute atomic vapors is the short-ranged isotropic s-wave
collision. Recent studies have shown, however, that situations may arise where
the dipolar interaction between atomic magnetic or electric dipole moments can
play a significant role. The long-range anisotropic nature of the dipolar
interaction greatly enriches the static and dynamic properties of ultracold
atoms. In the case of dipolar spinor condensates, the interplay between the
dipolar interaction and the spin exchange interaction may lead to nontrivial
spin textures. Here we pay particular attention to the spin vortex state that
is analogous to the magnetic vortex found in thin magnetic films.


title: The limb-darkened Arcturus; Imaging with the IOTA/IONIC interferometer

abstract:
  This paper is an H band interferometric examination of Arcturus, a star
frequently used as a spatial and spectral calibrator. Using the IOTA 3
telescope interferometer, we performed spectro-interferometric observation
(R~35) of Arcturus. Atmospheric models and prescriptions were fitted to the
data to derive the brightness distribution of the photosphere. Image
reconstruction was also obtained using two software algorithms: Wisard and
Mira. An achromatic power law proved to be a good model of the brightness
distribution, with a limb darkening compatible with the one derived from
atmospheric model simulations using our Marcs model. A Rosseland diameter of
21.05+/-0.21 was derived, corresponding to an effective temperature of
T_eff=4295+/-26 K. No companion was detected from the closure phases, with an
upper limit on the brightness ratio of 8e-4 at 1AU. Dynamic range at such
distance from the photosphere was established at 1.5e-4 (1sigma rms). An upper
limit of 1.7e-3 was also derived for the level of brightness asymmetries
present on the photosphere.


title:
Matrix product state comparison of the numerical renormalization group
  and the variational formulation of the density matrix renormalization group

abstract:
  Wilson's numerical renormalization group (NRG) method for solving quantum
impurity models yields a set of energy eigenstates that have the form of matrix
product states (MPS). White's density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) for
treating quantum lattice problems can likewise be reformulated in terms of MPS.
Thus, the latter constitute a common algebraic structure for both approaches.
We exploit this fact to compare the NRG approach for the single-impurity
Anderson model to a variational matrix product state approach (VMPS),
equivalent to single-site DMRG. For the latter, we use an ``unfolded'' Wilson
chain, which brings about a significant reduction in numerical costs compared
to those of NRG. We show that all NRG eigenstates (kept and discarded) can be
reproduced using VMPS, and compare the difference in truncation criteria, sharp
vs. smooth in energy space, of the two approaches. Finally, we demonstrate that
NRG results can be improved upon systematically by performing a variational
optimization in the space of variational matrix product states, using the
states produced by NRG as input.


title: Bi-Lipschitz geometry of complex surface singularities

abstract:
  We discuss the bi-Lipschitz geometry of an isolated singular point of a
complex surface which particular emphasis on when it is metrically conical.


title: The n-homology of representations

abstract:
  This is an expository article, written for a special edition of the journal
of the UMA (Union Matematica Argentina) commemorating the mathematician Misha
Cotlar. The article gives an introduction to the n-homology groups and surveys
some developments, with a particular emphasis on results pertaining to the
problem of calculating n-homology groups.


title:
Symmetries In Evolving Space-time and Their Connection To High-frequency
  Gravity Wave Production

abstract:
  We present how a worm hole bridge from a prior to the present universe allows
us to use symmetry arguments which allow us to generate relic gravity waves,
and also non massless gravitons. The relic gravitons are produced due to
thermal / vacuum energy transferral from a prior universe using a pseudo time
dependent version of the Wheeler De Witt equation as presented by Crowell
(2005)


title: Condensation and Extreme Value Statistics

abstract:
  We study the factorised steady state of a general class of mass transport
models in which mass, a conserved quantity, is transferred stochastically
between sites. Condensation in such models is exhibited when above a critical
mass density the marginal distribution for the mass at a single site develops a
bump, $p_{\rm cond}(m)$, at large mass $m$. This bump corresponds to a
condensate site carrying a finite fraction of the mass in the system. Here, we
study the condensation transition from a different aspect, that of extreme
value statistics. We consider the cumulative distribution of the largest mass
in the system and compute its asymptotic behaviour. We show 3 distinct
behaviours: at subcritical densities the distribution is Gumbel; at the
critical density the distribution is Fr\'echet, and above the critical density
a different distribution emerges. We relate $p_{\rm cond}(m)$ to the
probability density of the largest mass in the system.


title: Hawking radiation, W-infinity algebra and trace anomalies

abstract:
  We apply the "trace anomaly method" to the calculation of moments of the
Hawking radiation of a Schwarzschild black hole. We show that they can be
explained as the fluxes of chiral currents forming a W-infinity algebra. Then
we construct the covariant version of these currents and verify that up to
order 6 they are not affected by any trace anomaly. Using cohomological methods
we show that actually, for the fourth order current, no trace anomalies can
exist. The results reported here are strictly valid in two dimensions.


title:
Observations of the Corona Borealis supercluster with the superextended
  Very Small Array: further constraints on the nature of the non-Gaussian CMB
  cold spot

abstract:
  We present interferometric imaging at 33 GHz, with the new superextended
configuration of the Very Small Array (VSA), of a very deep decrement in the
cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature. This decrement is located in the
direction of the Corona Borealis supercluster, at a position with no known
galaxy clusters, and was discovered by a previous VSA survey (Genova-Santos et
al.). A total area of 3 sq.deg. has now been imaged, with an angular resolution
of 7 arcmin and a flux sensitivity of 5 mJy/beam.
  These observations confirm the presence of this strong and resolved negative
spot at -41+/-5 mJy/beam (-258+/-29 muK), with a signal to noise level of 8.
This structure is also present in the WMAP 5-year data. The temperature of the
W-band (94 GHz) data at the position of the decrement agrees within 1.2-sigma
with that observed by the VSA at 33 GHz, and within 0.2-sigma with the
Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) spectrum.
  Our analyses show that it is a non-Gaussian feature in the CMB at a level of
4.8-sigma. The probability of finding such a deviation or larger in CMB
Gaussian simulations is only 0.19 per cent. Therefore, an explanation other
than primordial CMB is required. We have considered the possibility of an SZ
effect generated in a diffuse, extended warm/hot gas distribution. This
hypothesis is especially relevant, as the presence of such structures, if
confirmed, could provide the location for a significant fraction of the missing
baryons in the Local Universe.


title:
Cosmic string Y-junctions: a comparison between field theoretic and
  Nambu-Goto dynamics

abstract:
  We explore the formation of cosmic string Y-junctions when strings of two
different types collide, which has recently become important since string
theory can yield cosmic strings of distinct types. Using a model containing two
types of local U(1) string and stable composites, we simulate the collision of
two straight strings and investigate whether the dynamics matches that
previously obtained using the Nambu-Goto action, which is not strictly valid
close to the junction. We find that the Nambu-Goto action performs only
moderately well at predicting when the collision results in the formation of a
pair of Y-junctions (with a composite string connecting them). However, we find
that when they do form, the late time dynamics matches those of the Nambu-Goto
approximation very closely. We also see little radiative emission from the
Y-junction system, which suggests that radiative decay due to bridge formation
does not appear to be a means via which a cosmological network of such string
would rapidly lose energy.


title: Gromov's Pinching Constant

abstract:
  In early 80's M.Gromov showed that there exists a constant $\epsilon$ such
that any compact Riemannian manifold $M^n$ with $|K|_{M^n} \cdot diam^2(M^n)
\leq \epsilon$ can be finitely covered by a nilmanifold. The present paper
illustrates by an explicit example that the pinching constant $\epsilon$
depends on the dimension $n$ of the manifold, in particular, it decreases with
the dimension at least as $\frac{12}{n^2}.$


title: Singular Chern Classes of Schubert Varieties via Small Resolution

abstract:
  We discuss a method for calculating the Chern-Schwartz-MacPherson (CSM) class
of a Schubert variety in the Grassmannian using small resolutions introduced by
Zelevinsky. As a consequence, we show how to compute the Chern-Mather class and
local Euler obstructions using small resolutions instead of the Nash blowup.
The algorithm obtained for CSM classes also allows us to prove new cases of a
positivity conjecture of Aluffi and Mihalcea.


title:
Parametrisations of the D -> K l nu form factor and the determination of
  \hat{g}

abstract:
  The vector form factor f_+(t) of the semileptonic decay D -> K l nu, measured
recently with a high accuracy, can be used to determine the strong coupling
constant g_{D_s^* D K}. The latter is related to the normalised coupling
\hat{g} releveant in heavy-meson chiral perturbation theory. This determination
relies on the estimation of the residue of the form factor at the D_s^* pole
and thus on an extrapolation of the form factor in the unphysical region
(m_D-m_K)^2<t<(m_D+m_K)^2. We test this extrapolation for several
parametrisations of the form factors by determining the value of \hat{g}, whose
value can be compared to other (experimental and theoretical) estimates.
Several unsophisticated parametrisations, differing by the amount of physical
information that they embed, are shown to pass this test. An apparently more
elaborated parametrisation of form factors, the so-called z-expansion, is at
variance with the other models, and we point out some significant shortcomings
of this parametrisation for the problem under consideration.


title: The anatomy of Leo I: how tidal tails affect the kinematics

abstract:
  We model the recently published kinematic data set for Leo I dSph galaxy by
fitting the solutions of the Jeans equations to the velocity dispersion and
kurtosis profiles measured from the data. We demonstrate that when the sample
is cleaned of interlopers the data are consistent with the assumption that mass
follows light and isotropic stellar orbits with no need for an extended dark
matter halo. Our interloper removal scheme does not clean the data of
contamination completely, as demonstrated by the rotation curve of Leo I. When
moving away from the centre of the dwarf, the rotation appears to be reversed.
We interpret this behaviour using the results of an N-body simulation of a
dwarf galaxy possessing some intrinsic rotation, orbiting in the Milky Way
potential and show that it can be reproduced if the galaxy is viewed almost
along the tidal tails so that the leading (background) tail contaminates the
western part of Leo I while the trailing (foreground) tail the eastern one. We
show that this configuration leads to a symmetric and Gaussian distribution of
line-of-sight velocities. The simulation is also applied to test our modelling
method on mock data sets. We demonstrate that when the data are cleaned of
interlopers and the fourth velocity moment is used the true parameters of the
dwarf are typically within 1 \sigma errors of the best-fitting parameters.
Restricting the fitting to the inner part of Leo I our best estimate for the
anisotropy is \beta = -0.2^{+0.3}_{-0.4} and the total mass M = (4.5 +/- 0.7) x
10^7 M_sun. The mass-to-light ratio including the errors in mass, brightness
and distance is M/L_V = 8.2 +/- 4.5 solar units.


title: Signals of bimodality in the fragmentation of Au quasi-projectiles

abstract:
  Signals of bimodality have been investigated in experimental data of
quasi-projectile decay produced in Au+Au collisions at 35 AMeV. This same data
set was already shown to provide several signals characteristic of a first
order, liquid-gas-like phase transition. Different event sortings proposed in
the recent literature are analyzed. A sudden change in the fragmentation
pattern is revealed by the distribution of the charge of the largest fragment,
compatible with a bimodal behavior.


title: A Proposal of Testing Imaginary Time in a Total Reflection

abstract:
  All paradoxes concerning faster-than-light signal propagation reported in
recent experiments can be dispelled by using imaginary time in a quantum
framework. I present a proposal of testing imaginary time in a total
reflection.


title: Spectroscopy of formaldehyde in the 30140-30790cm^-1 range

abstract:
  Room-temperature absorption spectroscopy of formaldehyde has been performed
in the 30140-30790cm^-1 range. Using tunable ultraviolet continuous-wave laser
light, individual rotational lines are well resolved in the Doppler-broadened
spectrum. Making use of genetic algorithms, the main features of the spectrum
are reproduced. Spectral data is made available as Supporting Information.


title: Entanglement evolution in finite dimensions

abstract:
  We provide a relation which describes how the entanglement of two d-level
systems evolves as either system undergoes an arbitrary physical process. The
dynamics of the entanglement turns out to be of a simple form, and is fully
captured by a single quantity.


title: Bent Rectangles

abstract:
  We study generalized regular bent functions using a representation by bent
rectangles, that is, special matrices with restrictions on rows and columns. We
describe affine transformations of bent rectangles, propose new biaffine and
bilinear constructions, study partitions of a vector space into affine planes
of the same dimension and use such partitions to build bent rectangles. We
illustrate the concept of bent rectangles by examples for the Boolean case.


title: The Imaginary Time in the Tunneling Process

abstract:
  By using techniques developed in quantum cosmology, it is found that a
tunneling particle spends purely imaginary time on a barrier region. The {\it
imaginary} time is associated with the stochastic acausal behaviour of a state,
while the {\it real} time is associated with the deterministic causal evolution
of a state. For the tunneling case the nonzero imaginary time is associated
with the transmission rate of the tunneling process, which is related to the
thickness of the barrier. The physical meaning of the zero real time is that
the particle instantly jumps from one side of the barrier to the other
regardless of the thickness. This leads to the illusion that tunneling
particles could actually travel faster than light. The results of recent
experiments in quantum optics concerning tunneling time can be thought of as
the first experimental confirmation of the existence of imaginary time.
Relativity is not violated.


title: Mesoscopic Phase Coherence in a Quantum Spin Fluid

abstract:
  Mesoscopic quantum phase coherence is important because it improves the
prospects for handling quantum degrees of freedom in technology. Here we show
that the development of such coherence can be monitored using magnetic neutron
scattering from a one-dimensional spin chain Y2BaNiO5, a quantum spin fluid
where no classical, static magnetic order is present. In the cleanest samples,
the quantum coherence length is 20 nm, almost an order of magnitude larger than
the classical antiferromagnetic correlation length of 3 nm. We also demonstrate
that the coherence length can be modified by static and thermally activated
defects in a quantitatively predictable manner.


title: Development of a Fast Position-Sensitive Laser Beam Detector

abstract:
  We report the development of a fast position-sensitive laser beam detector
with a bandwidth that exceeds currently available detectors. The detector uses
a fiber-optic bundle that spatially splits the incident beam, followed by a
fast balanced photo-detector. The detector is applied to the study of Brownian
motion of particles on fast time scales with 1 Angstrom spatial resolution.
Future applications include the study of molecule motors, protein folding, as
well as cellular processes.


title: Hermitian Gravity and Cosmology

abstract:
  In an attempt to generalize general relativity, we propose a new Hermitian
theory of gravity. Space-time is generalized to space-time-momentum-energy and
both the principles of general covariance and equivalence are extended. The
theory is endowed with a Hermitian metric on a complex manifold. The Hermitian
metric contains, apart from the symmetric metric, an anti-symmetric part, which
describes dynamical torsion. The causality structure is changed in a way such
that there is a minimal time for events to be in causal contact and a maximal
radius for a non-local instantaneous causally related volume. The speed of
light can exceed the conventional speed of light in non-inertial frames and
accelerations are bounded. We have indications that the theory of Hermitian
gravity yields general relativity at large scales and a theory equivalent to
general relativity at very small scales, where the momenta and energies are
very large. As an example, we study cosmology in Hermitian gravity, where
matter is described by two scalar fields. While at late times Hermitian gravity
reproduces the standard cosmological FLRW models, at early times it differs
significantly: quite generically the Universe of Hermitian cosmology exhibits a
bounce where a maximal expansion rate (Ricci curvature) is attained. Moreover,
we prove that no cosmological constant is permitted at the classical level
within our model of Hermitian cosmology.


title: Gravitational Form Factors in the Axial Sector from an AdS/QCD Model

abstract:
  We calculate the stress tensor, or energy-momentum tensor, form factors of
the pion and of axial vector mesons in the chiral limit of a hard wall AdS/CFT
model of QCD. One (of the two) pion gravitational form factors is directly
related to the second moment of the pion generalized parton distribution, thus
providing a sum rule for the latter. As was also the case for vector mesons,
both the pion and the axial vector mesons appear strikingly more compact
measured by the gravitational form factor than by the electromagnetic form
factor.


title:
Thermodynamics of heterogeneous crystal nucleation in contact and
  immersion modes

abstract:
  One of most intriguing problems of heterogeneous crystal nucleation in
droplets is its strong enhancement in the contact mode (when the foreign
particle is presumably in some kind of contact with the droplet surface)
compared to the immersion mode (particle immersed in the droplet). Many
heterogeneous centers have different nucleation thresholds when they act in
contact or immersion modes, indicating that the mechanisms may be actually
different for the different modes. Underlying physical reasons for this
enhancement have remained largely unclear. In this paper we present a model for
the thermodynamic enhancement of heterogeneous crystal nucleation in the
contact mode compared to the immersion one. To determine if and how the surface
of a liquid droplet can thermodynamically stimulate its heterogeneous
crystallization, we examine crystal nucleation in the immersion and contact
modes by deriving and comparing with each other the reversible works of
formation of crystal nuclei in these cases. As a numerical illustration, the
proposed model is applied to the heterogeneous nucleation of Ih crystals on
generic macroscopic foreign particles in water droplets at T=253 K. Our results
show that the droplet surface does thermodynamically favor the contact mode
over the immersion one. Surprisingly, our numerical evaluations suggest that
the line tension contribution to this enhancement from the contact of three
water phases (vapor-liquid-crystal) may be of the same order of magnitude as or
even larger than the surface tension contribution.


title:
The effect of the SOS response on the mean fitness of unicellular
  populations: A quasispecies approach

abstract:
  This paper develops a quasispecies model that incorporates the SOS response.
We consider a unicellular, asexually replicating population of organisms, whose
genomes consist of a single, double-stranded DNA molecule, i.e. one chromosome.
We assume that repair of post-replication mismatched base-pairs occurs with
probability $ \lambda $, and that the SOS response is triggered when the total
number of mismatched base-pairs exceeds $ l_S $. We further assume that the
per-mismatch SOS elimination rate is characterized by a first-order rate
constant $ \kappa_{SOS} $. For a single fitness peak landscape where the master
genome can sustain up to $ l $ mismatches and remain viable, this model is
analytically solvable in the limit of infinite sequence length. The results,
which are confirmed by stochastic simulations, indicate that the SOS response
does indeed confer a fitness advantage to a population, provided that it is
only activated when DNA damage is so extensive that a cell will die if it does
not attempt to repair its DNA.


title: Galactic Rotation Described with Various Thin-Disk Gravitational Models

abstract:
  For mature spiral galaxies, the rotation velocities quickly increase from the
galactic center and achieve a constant velocity from the core to the periphery.
This dynamic behavior is described by models balancing Newtonian gravitational
and centrifugal forces in rotating thin axisymmetric disks. Freeman's disk
assumes a mass density decreasing exponentially with radius which correctly
produces rotational velocities which increase from the galactic center to a
maximum near the outer core, but then decreases out to the periphery contrary
to measurements. Mestel's disk assumes a mass distribution decreasing more
slowly (inversely with radius) that yields a constant rotational velocity
across the entire disk, but has an unrealistic central mass singularity and
does not describe the core rotation properly. Thus combine the Freeman and
Mestel disks to utilize their strengths and eliminate their deficiencies.
Utilize the Freeman formula for the central core, and the Mestel formula beyond
the core to the galactic rim. This combined model produces rotation curves
comparable to the measurements of mature spiral galaxies. For a more general
thin-disk model, we develop an alternative computational method to solve for
the mass density distributions for various measured rotation curves We compute
radial mass densities that balance the Newtonian gravitational and centrifugal
forces at every point. The computational solutions show mass densities which
decrease approximately exponentially in the central core (similar to Freeman),
and transition to a slower inverse radial decrease (similar to Mestel) to the
periphery. Thus these diverse approaches yield similar results and are mutaully
self-consistent with Newtonian gravity/dynamics.


title:
Multiwavelength Monitoring of the Dwarf Seyfert 1 Galaxy NGC 4395. IV.
  The Variable UV Absorption Lines

abstract:
  We report the detection of variable UV absorption lines in NGC 4395, based on
UV observations with the HST STIS carried out in April and July, 2004, as part
of a reverberation-mapping campaign. Low-ionization lines of O I, N I, Si II, C
II, and Fe II, are present in the low-state spectra (April 2004) at a velocity
v_shift=-250 km/s (system A_l), and additional high-ionization lines of C IV
and N V appear in the high-state spectra (July 2004) at v_shift=-250 km/s
(system A_h) and at v_shift=-840 km/s (system B). The absence of absorption
from the low metastable levels of Si II implies a density <~10^3 cm^(-3) for
system A_l, indicating a location outside the narrow line region (NLR). System
A_h is peculiar as only N V absorption is clearly detected. A high N V/C IV
absorption ratio is expected for a high metallicity absorber, but this is
excluded here as the metallicity of the host galaxy and of the nuclear gas is
significantly subsolar. A simple acceptable model for systems A_h and B is an
absorber located between the broad line region (BLR) and the NLR, which absorbs
only the continuum and the BLR. At the low-state the strong narrow emission
lines of C IV and N V dominate the spectrum, making the absorption invisible.
At the high-state the absorbed continuum and BLR emission dominate the
spectrum. Thus, the change in the observed absorption does not reflect a change
in the absorber, but rather a change in the continuum and BLR emission from
behind the absorber, relative to the emission from the NLR in front of the
absorber. Studies of the absorption line variability in highly variable objects
can thus break the degeneracy in the absorber distance determination inherent
to single epoch studies.


title:
Stopping supersonic oxygen with a series of pulsed electromagnetic
  coils: A molecular coilgun

abstract:
  We report the stopping of a molecular oxygen beam, using a series of pulsed
electromagnetic coils. A series of coils is fired in a timed sequence to bring
the molecules to near-rest, where they are detected with a quadrupole mass
spectrometer. Applications to cold chemistry are discussed.


title: A Cosmic Ray Positron Anisotropy due to Two Middle-Aged, Nearby Pulsars?

abstract:
  Geminga and B0656+14 are the closest pulsars with characteristic ages in the
ran ge of 100 kyr to 1 Myr. They both have spindown powers of the order 3e34
erg/s at present. The winds of these pulsars had most probably powered pulsar
wind nebulae (PWNe) that broke up less than about 100 kyr after the birth of
the pulsars. Assuming that leptonic particles accelerated by the pulsars were
confined in th e PWNe and were released into the interstellar medium (ISM) on
breakup of the PW Ne, we show that, depending on the pulsar parameters, both
pulsars make a non-ne gligible contribution to the local cosmic ray (CR)
positron spectrum, and they m ay be the main contributors above several GeV.
The relatively small angular dist ance between Geminga and B0656+14 thus
implies an anisotropy in the local CR po sitron flux at these energies. We
calculate the contribution of these pulsars to the locally observed CR electr
on and positron spectra depending on the pulsar birth period and the magnitude
o f the local CR diffusion coefficient. We further give an estimate of the
expecte d anisotropy in the local CR positron flux. Our calculations show that
within the framework of our model, the local CR posit ron spectrum imposes
constraints on pulsar parameters for Geminga and B0656+14, notably the pulsar
period at birth, and also the local interstellar diffusion co efficient for CR
leptons.


title: Thermodynamics of a model for RNA folding

abstract:
  We analyze the thermodynamic properties of a simplified model for folded RNA
molecules recently studied by G. Vernizzi, H. Orland, A. Zee (in {\it Phys.
Rev. Lett.} {\bf 94} (2005) 168103). The model consists of a chain of
one-flavor base molecules with a flexible backbone and all possible pairing
interactions equally allowed. The spatial pseudoknot structure of the model can
be efficiently studied by introducing a $N \times N$ hermitian random matrix
model at each chain site, and associating Feynman diagrams of these models to
spatial configurations of the molecules. We obtain an exact expression for the
topological expansion of the partition function of the system. We calculate
exact and asymptotic expressions for the free energy, specific heat,
entanglement and chemical potential and study their behavior as a function of
temperature. Our results are consistent with the interpretation of $1/N$ as
being a measure of the concentration of $\rm{Mg}^{++}$ in solution.


title: Soliton structures in a molecular chain model with saturation

abstract:
  In the present work, we study, by means of a one-dimensional lattice model,
the collective excitations corresponding to intra molecular ones of a chain
like proteins. It is shown that such excitations are described by the Nonlinear
Schrodinger equation with saturation. The solutions obtained here are the bell
solitons, bubbles, kinks and crowdons. Since they belong to different sectors
on the parametric space, the bubble condensation could give place to some
important changes of face in this kind of nonlinear system. Additionally, it is
shown that the limiting velocity of the solitons is the velocity of sound waves
corresponding to longitudinal vibrations of molecules.


title: Thermal Equilibration of 176-Lu via K-Mixing

abstract:
  In astrophysical environments, the long-lived (\T_1/2 = 37.6 Gy) ground state
of 176-Lu can communicate with a short-lived (T_1/2 = 3.664 h) isomeric level
through thermal excitations. Thus, the lifetime of 176-Lu in an astrophysical
environment can be quite different than in the laboratory. We examine the
possibility that the rate of equilibration can be enhanced via K-mixing of two
levels near E_x = 725 keV and estimate the relevant gamma-decay rates. We use
this result to illustrate the effect of K-mixing on the effective stellar
half-life. We also present a network calculation that includes the
equilibrating transitions allowed by K-mixing. Even a small amount of K-mixing
will ensure that 176-Lu reaches at least a quasi-equilibrium during an
s-process triggered by the 22-Ne neutron source.


title:
Characterization of the critical values of branching random walks on
  weighted graphs through infinite-type branching processes

abstract:
  We study the branching random walk on weighted graphs; site-breeding and
edge-breeding branching random walks on graphs are seen as particular cases. We
describe the strong critical value in terms of a geometrical parameter of the
graph. We characterize the weak critical value and relate it to another
geometrical parameter. We prove that, at the strong critical value, the process
dies out locally almost surely; while, at the weak critical value, global
survival and global extinction are both possible.


title:
Composition and field tuned magnetism and superconductivity in
  Nd1-xCexCoIn5

abstract:
  The Nd1-xCexCoIn5 alloys evolve from local moment magnetism (x = 0) to heavy
fermion superconductivity (x =1). Magnetic order is observed over a broad range
of x. For a substantial range of x (0.83 <= x <= 0.95) in the temperature -
composition phase diagram we find that superconductivity may coexist with spin
- density wave magnetic order at the Fermi surface. We show that a delicate
balance betwen superconducting and magnetic instabilities can be reversibly
tuned by both the Ce/Nd ratio and magnetic field, offering a new and unique
model electronic system.


title: Framed Deformation of Galois Representation

abstract:
  We studied framed deformations of two dimensional Galois representation of
which the residue representation restrict to decomposition groups are scalars,
and established a modular lifting theorem for certain cases. We then proved a
family version of the result, and used it to determine the structure of
deformation rings over characteristic zero fields. These can be applied to the
study of exceptional zero of p-adic L-function.


title:
Hubble redshift and the Heisenberg frequency uncertainty: on a coherence
  (or pulse) time signature in extragalactic light

abstract:
  In any Big Bang cosmology, the frequency $\omega$ of light detected from a
distant source is continuously and linearly changing (usually redshifting) with
elapsed observer's time $\delta t$, because of the expanding Universe. For
small $\delta t$, however, the resulting $\delta\omega$ shift lies beneath the
Heisenberg frequency uncertainty. And since there {\it is} a way of telling
whether such short term shifts really exist, if the answer is affirmative we
will have a means of monitoring radiation to an accuracy level that surpasses
fundamental limitations. More elaborately, had $\omega$ been `frozen' for a
minimum threshold interval before any redshift could take place, i.e. the light
propagated as a smooth but {\it periodic} sequence of wave packets or pulses,
and $\omega$ decreased only from one pulse to the next, one would then be
denied the above forbiddingly precise information about frequency behavior. Yet
because this threshold period is {\it observable}, being $\Delta t \approx
1/\sqrt{\omega_0 H_0} \sim$ 5 -- 15 minute for the cosmic microwave background
(CMB), we can indeed perform a check for consistency between the Hubble Law and
the Uncertainty Principle. If, as most would assume to be the case, the former
either takes effect without violating the latter or not take effect at all, the
presence of this characteristic time signature (periodicity) $\Delta t$ would
represent direct verification of the redshift phenomenon.


title: Thermal Hall-Senftleben Effect

abstract:
  This paper is devoted to a prediction of new effect - the occurrence of a
heat flow perpendicular both to temperature gradient and magnetic field in
molecular dielectric where rotary degrees of freedom of molecules are defrozen.
The method of the moments considering processes of phonon scattering on
molecules with their rotary condition changing is developed.


title: Skyrmions in Yang--Mills Theories with Massless Adjoint Quarks

abstract:
  Dynamics of SU(N_c) Yang--Mills theories with N_f adjoint Weyl fermions is
quite different from that of SU(N_c) gauge theories with fundamental quarks.
The symmetry breaking pattern is SU(N_f) --> SO(N_f). The corresponding sigma
model supports Skyrmions whose microscopic identification is not immediately
clear. We address this issue as well as the issue of the Skyrmion stability.
The case of N_f=2 had been considered previously. Here we discuss N_f >= 3. We
discuss the coupling between the massless Goldstone bosons and massive
composite fermions (with mass O(N_c^0)) from the standpoint of the low-energy
chiral sigma model. We derive the Wess--Zumino--Novikov--Witten term and then
determine Skyrmion statistics. We also determine their fermion number (mod 2)
and observe an abnormal relation between the statistics and the fermion number.
This explains the Skyrmion stability. In addition, we consider another
microscopic theory -- SO(N_c) Yang--Mills with N_f Weyl fermions in the
vectorial representation -- which has the same chiral symmetry breaking pattern
and the same chiral Lagrangian. We discuss distinctive features of these two
scenarios.


title: A variational theory for monotone vector fields

abstract:
  Monotone vector fields were introduced almost 40 years ago as nonlinear
extensions of positive definite linear operators, but also as natural
extensions of gradients of convex potentials. These vector fields are not
always derived from potentials in the classical sense, and as such they are not
always amenable to the standard methods of the calculus of variations. We
describe here how the selfdual variational calculus developed recently by the
author, provides a variational approach to PDEs and evolution equations driven
by maximal monotone operators. To any such a vector field T on a reflexive
Banach space X, one can associate a convex selfdual Lagrangian L_T on phase
space X x X* that can be seen as a "potential" for T, in the sense that the
problem of inverting T reduces to minimizing the convex energy L_T. This
variational approach to maximal monotone operators allows their theory to be
analyzed with the full range of methods --computational or not-- that are
available for variational settings. Standard convex analysis (on phase space)
can then be used to establish many old and new results concerned with the
identification, superposition, and resolution of such vector fields.


title: Not One Bit of de Sitter Information

abstract:
  We formulate the information paradox in de Sitter space in terms of the
no-cloning principle of quantum mechanics. We show that energy conservation
puts an upper bound on the maximum entropy available to any de Sitter observer.
Combined with a general result on the average information in a quantum
subsystem, this guarantees that an observer in de Sitter space cannot obtain
even a single bit of information from the de Sitter horizon, thereby preventing
any observable violations of the quantum no-cloning principle, in support of
observer complementarity.


title:
Large-scale instability in interacting dark energy and dark matter
  fluids

abstract:
  If dark energy interacts with dark matter, this gives a new approach to the
coincidence problem. But interacting dark energy models can suffer from
pathologies. We consider the case where the dark energy is modelled as a fluid
with constant equation of state parameter w. Non-interacting constant-w models
are well behaved in the background and in the perturbed universe. But the
combination of constant w and a simple interaction with dark matter leads to an
instability in the dark sector perturbations at early times: the curvature
perturbation blows up on super-Hubble scales. Our results underline how
important it is to carefully analyze the relativistic perturbations when
considering models of coupled dark energy. The instability that we find has
been missed in some previous work where the perturbations were not consistently
treated. The unstable mode dominates even if adiabatic initial conditions are
used. The instability also arises regardless of how weak the coupling is. This
non-adiabatic instability is different from previously discovered adiabatic
instabilities on small scales in the strong-coupling regime.


title: What is the best way to measure baryonic acoustic oscillations?

abstract:
  Oscillations in the baryon-photon fluid prior to recombination imprint
different signatures on the power spectrum and correlation function of matter
fluctuations. The measurement of these features using galaxy surveys has been
proposed as means to determine the equation of state of the dark energy. The
accuracy required to achieve competitive constraints demands an extremely good
understanding of systematic effects which change the baryonic acoustic
oscillation (BAO) imprint. We use 50 very large volume N-body simulations to
investigate the BAO signature in the two-point correlation function. The
location of the BAO bump does not correspond to the sound horizon scale at the
level of accuracy required by future measurements, even before any dynamical or
statistical effects are considered. Careful modelling of the correlation
function is therefore required to extract the cosmological information encoded
on large scales. We find that the correlation function is less affected by
scale dependent effects than the power spectrum. We show that a model for the
correlation function proposed by Crocce & Scoccimarro (2008), based on
renormalised perturbation theory, gives an essentially unbiased measurement of
the dark energy equation of state. This means that information from the large
scale shape of the correlation function, in addition to the form of the BAO
peak, can be used to provide robust constraints on cosmological parameters. The
correlation function therefore provides a better constraint on the distance
scale (~50% smaller errors with no systematic bias) than the more conservative
approach required when using the power spectrum (i.e. which requires amplitude
and long wavelength shape information to be discarded).


title:
Fock-space quantum particle approach for the two-mode boson model
  describing BEC trapped in a double-well potential

abstract:
  We develop the Fock-space many-body quantum approach for large number of
bosons, when the bosons occupy significantly only few modes. The approach is
based on an analogy with the dynamics of a single particle of either positive
or negative mass in a quantum potential, where the inverse number of bosons
plays the role of Planck constant. As application of the method we consider the
Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well trap. The ground state of positive
mass particle corresponds to the mean-field fixed point of lower energy, while
that of negative mass to the excited fixed point. In the case of attractive BEC
above the threshold for symmetry breaking, the ground state is a cat state and
we relate this fact to the double-well shape of the quantum potential for the
positive mass quantum particle. The tunneling energy splitting between the
local Fock states of the cat state is shown to be extremely small for the
nonlinearity parameter just above the critical value and exponentially
decreasing with the number of atoms. In the repulsive case, the phase locked
($\pi$-phase) macroscopic quantum self-trapping of BEC is related to the
double-well structure of the potential for the negative mass quantum particle.
We also analyze the running phase macroscopic quantum self-trapping state and
show that it is subject to quantum collapses and revivals. Moreover, the
quantum dynamics just before the first collapse of the running phase shows
exponential growth of dispersion of the quantum phase distribution which may
explain the growth of the phase fluctuations seen in the experiment on the
macroscopic quantum self-trapping.


title:
Cosmic Evolution of Black Holes and Spheroids. III. The M-sigma relation
  in the last six billion years

abstract:
  We measure the evolution of the correlation between black hole mass and host
spheroid velocity dispersion over the last 6 billion years, by studying three
carefully selected samples of active galaxies at z=0.57, z=0.36 and z<0.1. For
all three samples, virial black hole masses are consistently estimated using
the line dispersion of H$\beta$ and the continuum luminosity at 5100A or Halpha
line luminosity, based on our cross calibration of the broad line region
size-luminosity relation. For the z=0.57 sample, new stellar velocity
dispersions are measured from high signal-to-noise ratio spectra obtained at
the Keck Telescope, while for the two lower redshift samples they are compiled
from previous works. Extending our previous result at z=0.36, we find an offset
from the local relation, suggesting that for fixed M_{BH}, distant spheroids
have on average smaller velocity dispersions than local ones. The measured
offset at z=0.57 is d log sigma_{*}=0.12 \pm 0.05\pm 0.06 (or d log M_{BH}=0.50
\pm 0.22\pm 0.25), i.e. d log M_{BH} = (3.1\pm1.5)\log (1+z) + 0.05\pm0.21.
This is inconsistent with a tight and non-evolving universal M-sigma relation
at the 95%CL


title:
High-Spatial Resolution SED of NGC 1068 from Near-IR to Radio.
  Disentangling the thermal and non-thermal contributions

abstract:
  We investigate the ideas that a sizable fraction of the interferometrically
unresolved infrared emission of the nucleus of NGC 1068 might originate from
other processes than thermal dust emission from the torus. We examine the
contribution of free-free or synchrotron emissions to the central mid- and
near-IR parsec-scale emitting region of NGC 1068. Each mechanism is constrained
with parsec scale radio data available for NGC 1068 in the 10^9 - 10^11 Hz
regime, and compared to the highest-resolution interferometric data available
in the mid-infrared. It is shown that the unresolved emission in the
interferometric observation (<~1pc) is still dominatedd by dust emission and
not by contributions from synchrotron or free-free emission. As recent studies
suggest, the interferometric observations prefer a clumpy structure of the dust
distribution. Extrapolation of the radio free-free or synchrotron emission to
the IR indicates that their contribution is <20% even for the unresolved
fraction of the interferometric flux. The slope of the available radio data is
consistent with a power law exponent alpha = 0.29 +/- 0.07 which we interprete
in terms of either free-free emission or synchrotron radiation from
quasi-monochromatic electrons. We apply emission models for both mechanisms in
order to obtain physical parameters. (abridged)


title:
Spitzer IRAC Observations of White Dwarfs. II. Massive Planetary and
  Cold Brown Dwarf Companions to Young and Old Degenerates

abstract:
  This paper presents a sensitive and comprehensive IRAC 3-8 $\mu$m photometric
survey of white dwarfs for companions in the planetary mass regime with
temperatures cooler than the known T dwarfs. The search focuses on descendents
of intermediate mass stars with $M\ga3$ $M_{\odot}$ whose inner, few hundred AU
regions cannot be probed effectively for massive planets and brown dwarfs by
any alternative existing method. Furthermore, examination for mid-infrared
excess explores an extensive range of orbital semimajor axes, including the
intermediate 5-50 AU range poorly covered and incompletely accessible by other
techniques at main sequence or evolved stars. Three samples of white dwarfs are
chosen which together represent relatively young as well as older populations
of stars: 9 open cluster white dwarfs, 22 high mass field white dwarfs, and 17
metal-rich field white dwarfs. In particular, these targets include: 7 Hyads
and 4 field white dwarfs of similar age; 1 Pleiad and 19 field white dwarfs of
similar age; van Maanen 2 and 16 similarly metal-rich white dwarfs with ages
between 1 and 7 Gyr. No substellar companion candidates were identified at any
star. By demanding a 15% minimum photometric excess at 4.5 $\mu$m to indicate a
companion detection, upper limits in the planetary mass regime are established
at 34 of the sample white dwarfs, 20 of which have limits below 10 $M_{\rm J}$
according to substellar cooling models. Specifically, limits below the minimum
mass for deuterium burning are established at all Pleiades and Hyadeswhite
dwarfs, as well as similarly young field white dwarfs, half a dozen of which
receive limits at or below 5 $M_{\rm J}$. Two IRAC epochs at vMa 2 rule out
$T\ga200$ K proper motion companions within 1200 AU.


title:
A systematic look at the Very High and Low/Hard state of GX 339-4:
  Constraining the black hole spin with a new reflection model

abstract:
  We present a systematic study of GX 339-4 in both its very high and low hard
states from simultaneous observations made with XMM-Newton and RXTE in 2002 and
2004. The X-ray spectra of both these extreme states exhibit strong reflection
signatures, with a broad, skewed Fe-Kalpha line clearly visible above the
continuum. Using a newly developed, self-consistent reflection model which
implicitly includes the blackbody radiation of the disc as well as the effect
of Comptonisation, blurred with a relativistic line function, we were able to
infer the spin parameter of GX 339-4 to be 0.935 +/- 0.01 (statistical) +/-
0.01 (systematic) at 90 per cent confidence. We find that both states are
consistent with an ionised thin accretion disc extending to the innermost
stable circular orbit around the rapidly spinning black hole.


title:
2D Multi-Angle, Multi-Group Neutrino Radiation-Hydrodynamic Simulations
  of Postbounce Supernova Cores

abstract:
  We perform axisymmetric (2D) multi-angle, multi-group neutrino
radiation-hydrodynamic calculations of the postbounce phase of core-collapse
supernovae using a genuinely 2D discrete-ordinate (S_n) method. We follow the
long-term postbounce evolution of the cores of one nonrotating and one
rapidly-rotating 20-solar-mass stellar model for ~400 milliseconds from 160 ms
to ~550 ms after bounce. We present a multi-D analysis of the multi-angle
neutrino radiation fields and compare in detail with counterpart simulations
carried out in the 2D multi-group flux-limited diffusion (MGFLD) approximation
to neutrino transport. We find that 2D multi-angle transport is superior in
capturing the global and local radiation-field variations associated with
rotation-induced and SASI-induced aspherical hydrodynamic configurations. In
the rotating model, multi-angle transport predicts much larger asymptotic
neutrino flux asymmetries with pole to equator ratios of up to ~2.5, while
MGFLD tends to sphericize the radiation fields already in the optically
semi-transparent postshock regions. Along the poles, the multi-angle
calculation predicts a dramatic enhancement of the neutrino heating by up to a
factor of 3, which alters the postbounce evolution and results in greater polar
shock radii and an earlier onset of the initially rotationally weakened SASI.
In the nonrotating model, differences between multi-angle and MGFLD
calculations remain small at early times when the postshock region does not
depart significantly from spherical symmetry. At later times, however, the
growing SASI leads to large-scale asymmetries and the multi-angle calculation
predicts up to 30% higher average integral neutrino energy deposition rates
than MGFLD.


title:
Near-infrared integral field spectroscopy of the Homunculus nebula
  around Eta Carinae using Gemini/CIRPASS

abstract:
  This work presents the first integral field spectroscopy of the Homunculus
nebula around Eta Carinae in the near-infrared spectral region (J band). We
confirmed the presence of a hole on the polar region of each lobe, as indicated
by previous near-IR long-slit spectra and mid-IR images. The holes can be
described as a cylinder of height (i.e. the thickness of the lobe) and diameter
of 6.5 and 6.0x10^{16} cm, respectively. We also mapped the blue-shifted
component of He I 10830 seen towards the NW lobe. Contrary to previous works,
we suggested that this blue-shifted component is not related to the Paddle but
it is indeed in the equatorial disc.
  We confirmed the claim of Smith (2005) and showed that the spatial extent of
the Little Homunculus matches remarkably well the radio continuum emission at 3
cm, indicating that the Little Homunculus can be regarded as a small HII
region. Therefore, we used the optically-thin 1.3 mm radio flux to derive a
lower limit for the number of Lyman-continuum photons of the central source in
Eta Car. In the context of a binary system, and assuming that the ionising flux
comes entirely from the hot companion star, the lower limit for its spectral
type and luminosity class ranges from O5.5 III to O7 I. Moreover, we showed
that the radio peak at 1.7 arcsec NW from the central star is in the same
line-of-sight of the `Sr-filament' but they are obviously spatially separated,
while the blue-shifted component of He I 10830 may be related to the radio peak
and can be explained by the ultraviolet radiation from the companion star.


title:
Decoherence of Bell states by local interactions with a dynamic spin
  environment

abstract:
  We study the evolution of a system of two qubits, each of which interacts
locally with a spin chain with nontrivial internal Hamiltonian. We present an
exact solution to this problem and analyze the dependence of decoherence on the
distance between the interaction sites. In the strong coupling regime we find
that decoherence increases with increasing distance. In the weak coupling
regime the dependence of decoherence with distance is not generic (i.e., it
varies according to the initial state). Decoherence becomes independent of
distance when the latter is over a saturation length $l$. Numerical results for
the Ising chain suggest that the saturation scale is related to the correlation
length $\xi$. For strong coupling we display evidence of the existence of
non--Markovian effects (such as environment--induced interactions between the
qubits). As a consequence the system can undergo a quasiperiodic sequence of
``sudden deaths and revivals'' of entanglement, with a time scale related to
the distance between qubits.


title: Disk single Hurwitz numbers

abstract:
  It is investigated Hurwitz numbers, that correspond to covering of disk with
single non-simple boundary critical value. It is found differential equations,
that describe a generating function for these numbers.


title: Dynamics of Collective Decoherence and Thermalization

abstract:
  We analyze the dynamics of N interacting spins (quantum register)
collectively coupled to a thermal environment. Each spin experiences the same
environment interaction, consisting of an energy conserving and an energy
exchange part.
  We find the decay rates of the reduced density matrix elements in the energy
basis. We show that if the spins do not interact among each other, then the
fastest decay rates of off-diagonal matrix elements induced by the energy
conserving interaction is of order N^2, while that one induced by the energy
exchange interaction is of the order N only. Moreover, the diagonal matrix
elements approach their limiting values at a rate independent of N.
  For a general spin system the decay rates depend in a rather complicated (but
explicit) way on the size N and the interaction between the spins.
  Our method is based on a dynamical quantum resonance theory valid for small,
fixed values of the couplings. We do not make Markov-, Born- or weak coupling
(van Hove) approximations.


title: The Microscopic Approach to N=1 Super Yang-Mills Theories

abstract:
  We give a brief account of the recent progresses in super Yang-Mills theories
based in particular on the application of Nekrasov's instanton technology to
the case of N=1 supersymmetry. We have developed a first-principle formalism
from which any chiral observable in the theory can be computed, including in
strongly coupled confining vacua. The correlators are first expressed in terms
of some external variables as sums over colored partitions. The external
variables are then fixed to their physical values by extremizing the
microscopic quantum superpotential. Remarquably, the results can be shown to
coincide with the Dijkgraaf-Vafa matrix model approach, which uses a totally
different mathematical framework. These results clarify many important
properties of N=1 theories, related in particular to generalized Konishi
anomaly equations and to Veneziano-Yankielowicz terms in the glueball
superpotentials. The proof of the equivalence between the formalisms based on
colored partitions and on matrices is also a proof of the open/closed string
duality in the chiral sector of the theories.


title: Shannon Multiresolution Analysis on the Heisenberg Group

abstract:
  We present a notion of frame multiresolution analysis on the Heisenberg
group, abbreviated by FMRA, and study its properties. Using the irreducible
representations of this group, we shall define a sinc-type function which is
our starting point for obtaining the scaling function. Further, we shall give a
concrete example of a wavelet FMRA on the Heisenberg group which is analogous
to the Shannon
  MRA on $\RR$.


title: Conductance Through Graphene Bends and Polygons

abstract:
  We investigate the transmission of electrons between conducting nanoribbon
leads oriented at multiples of 60 degrees with respect to one another,
connected either directly or through graphene polygons. A mode-matching
analysis suggests that the transmission at low-energies is sensitive to the
precise way in which the ribbons are joined. Most strikingly, we find that
armchair leads forming 120-degree angles can support either a large
transmission or a highly suppressed transmission, depending on the specific
geometry. Tight-binding calculations demonstrate the effects in detail, and are
also used to study transmission at higher energies as well as for zigzag ribbon
leads.


title: Second sound in nuclear interaction

abstract:
  Following the method developed in monograph : From quarks to bulk matter
Hadronic Press 2001the master equation for second sound in nuclear matter is
obtained and solved. The velocity of second sound is calculated


title: Competition between transients in the rate of approach to a fixed point

abstract:
  Dynamical systems studies of differential equations often focus on the
behavior of solutions near critical points and on invariant manifolds, to
elucidate the organization of the associated flow. In addition, effective
methods, such as the use of Poincare maps and phase resetting curves, have been
developed for the study of periodic orbits. However, the analysis of transient
dynamics associated with solutions on their way to an attracting fixed point
has not received much rigorous attention. This paper introduces methods for the
study of such transient dynamics. In particular, we focus on the analysis of
whether one component of a solution to a system of differential equations can
overtake the corresponding component of a reference solution, given that both
solutions approach the same stable node. We call this phenomenon tolerance,
which derives from a certain biological effect. Here, we establish certain
general conditions, based on the initial conditions associated with the two
solutions and the properties of the vector field, that guarantee that tolerance
does or does not occur in two-dimensional systems. We illustrate these
conditions in particular examples, and we derive and demonstrate additional
techniques that can be used on a case by case basis to check for tolerance.
Finally, we give a full rigorous analysis of tolerance in two-dimensional
linear systems.


title: On the Geometry of Isomonodromic Deformations

abstract:
  This note examines the geometry behind the Hamiltonian structure of
isomonodromy deformations of connections on vector bundles over Riemann
surfaces. The main point is that one should think of an open set of the moduli
of pairs $(V,\nabla)$ of vector bundles and connections as being obtained by
"twists" supported over points of a fixed vector bundle $V_0$ with a fixed
connection $\nabla_0$; this gives two deformations, one, isomonodromic, of
$(V,\nabla)$, and another induced from the isomonodromic deformation of
$(V_0,\nabla_0)$. The difference between the two will be Hamiltonian.


title:
The strongest cosmic magnets: Soft Gamma-ray Repeaters and Anomalous
  X-ray Pulsars

abstract:
  Two classes of X-ray pulsars, the Anomalous X-ray Pulsars and the Soft
Gamma-ray Repeaters, have been recognized in the last decade as the most
promising candidates for being magnetars: isolated neutron stars powered by
magnetic energy. I review the observational properties of these objects,
focussing on the most recent results, and their interpretation in the magnetar
model. Alternative explanations, in particular those based on accretion from
residual disks, are also considered. The possible relations between these
sources and other classes of neutron stars and astrophysical objects are also
discussed.


title: An Index Theorem for Toeplitz Operators on the Quarter-Plane

abstract:
  We prove an index theorem for Toeplitz operators on the quarter-plane using
the index theory for generalized Toeplitz operators introduced by G. J. Murphy.
To prove this index theorem we construct an indicial triple on the tensor
product of two C*-algebras provided with indicial triples with general
conditions. We show that our results can be extended to some extensions of the
theory of Toeplitz operators on the quarter-plane.


title:
A Matrix Model for 2D Quantum Gravity defined by Causal Dynamical
  Triangulations

abstract:
  A novel continuum theory of two-dimensional quantum gravity, based on a
version of Causal Dynamical Triangulations which incorporates topology change,
has recently been formulated as a genuine string field theory in
zero-dimensional target space (arXiv:0802.0719). Here we show that the
Dyson-Schwinger equations of this string field theory are reproduced by a cubic
matrix model. This matrix model also appears in the so-called Dijkgraaf-Vafa
correspondence if the superpotential there is required to be renormalizable. In
the spirit of this model, as well as the original large-N expansion by 't
Hooft, we need no special double-scaling limit involving a fine tuning of
coupling constants to obtain the continuum quantum-gravitational theory. Our
result also implies a matrix model representation of the original, strictly
causal quantum gravity model.


title: Chaotic Behaviour of Atomic Energy Levels

abstract:
  The authors of this paper studied Schrodinger wave equation to investiagate
the chaotic behavior of atomic energy levels in relation with three quantum
numbers n, l, m by means of derived inequality. It could give rise to the
siplitting of atomic spectral lines. Keywords: Chaos, Schrodinger wave
equation, atomic energy levels


title:
Quantum State Engineering and Precision Metrology using
  State-Insensitive Light Traps

abstract:
  Precision metrology and quantum measurement often demand matter be prepared
in well defined quantum states for both internal and external degrees of
freedom. Laser-cooled neutral atoms localized in a deeply confining optical
potential satisfy this requirement. With an appropriate choice of wavelength
and polarization for the optical trap, two electronic states of an atom can
experience the same trapping potential, permitting coherent control of
electronic transitions independent of the atomic center-of-mass motion. We
review a number of recent experiments that use this approach to investigate
precision quantum metrology for optical atomic clocks and coherent control of
optical interactions of single atoms and photons within the context of cavity
quantum electrodynamics. We also provide a brief survey of promising prospects
for future work.


title: Magnetic Component of Quark-Gluon Plasma is also a Liquid!

abstract:
  The so called magnetic scenario recently suggested in \cite{Liao_ES_mono}
emphasizes the role of monopoles in strongly coupled quark-gluon plasma (sQGP)
near/above the deconfinement temperature, and specifically predicts that they
help reduce its viscosity by the so called "magnetic bottle" effect. Arguments
for "magnetic liquid" in 1-2$T_c$ based on lattice measurement of monopole
density were provided in \cite{Chernodub}. Here we present results for
monopole-(anti)monopole correlation functions from the same classical molecular
dynamics simulations, which are found to be in very good agreement with recent
lattice results \cite{D'Alessandro:2007su}. We show that the magnetic Coulomb
coupling does run in the direction $opposite$ to the electric one, as expected,
and it is roughly inverse of the asymptotic freedom formula for the electric
one. However, as $T$ decreases to $T_c$, the magnetic coupling never gets weak,
with the plasma parameter always large enough ($\Gamma>1$). This nicely agrees
with empirical evidences from RHIC experiments, implying that magnetic objects
cannot have large mean free path and should also form a good liquid with low
viscosity.