title: Simulating CCD images of elliptical galaxies

abstract:
  We introduce a procedure developed by the ``Teramo Stellar Populations
Tools'' group (Teramo-SPoT), specifically optimized to obtain realistic
simulations of CCD images of elliptical galaxies.
  Particular attention is devoted to include the Surface Brightness Fluctuation
(SBF) signal observed in ellipticals and to simulate the Globular Cluster (GC)
system in the galaxy, and the distribution of background galaxies present in
real CCD frames. In addition to the physical properties of the simulated
objects - galaxy distance and brightness profile, luminosity function of GC and
background galaxies, etc. - the tool presented allows the user to set some of
the main instrumental properties - FoV, zero point magnitude, exposure time,
etc.


title: Constructions of Kahler-Einstein metrics with negative scalar curvature

abstract:
  We show that on Kahler manifolds with negative first Chern class, the
sequence of algebraic metrics introduced by H. Tsuji converges uniformly to the
Kahler-Einstein metric. For algebraic surfaces of general type and orbifolds
with isolated singularities, we prove a convergence result for a modified
version of Tsuji's iterative construction.


title:
A Denjoy Theorem for commuting circle diffeomorphisms with mixed Holder
  derivatives

abstract:
  We prove that if d is an integer number bigger than 1 and f_1,...,f_d are
commuting circle diffeomorphisms respectively of class C^(1+\tau_k), where
\tau_1 + ... + \tau_k > 1, then these maps are simultaneously conjugate to
rotations provided that their rotation numbers are independent over the
rationals.


title:
Transient Dynamics of Sparsely Connected Hopfield Neural Networks with
  Arbitrary Degree Distributions

abstract:
  Using probabilistic approach, the transient dynamics of sparsely connected
Hopfield neural networks is studied for arbitrary degree distributions. A
recursive scheme is developed to determine the time evolution of overlap
parameters. As illustrative examples, the explicit calculations of dynamics for
networks with binomial, power-law, and uniform degree distribution are
performed. The results are good agreement with the extensive numerical
simulations. It indicates that with the same average degree, there is a gradual
improvement of network performance with increasing sharpness of its degree
distribution, and the most efficient degree distribution for global storage of
patterns is the delta function.


title: Explicit HRS-Tilting

abstract:
  For an abelian category $A$ equipped with a torsion pair, we give an explicit
description for the abelian category $B$ introduced by Happel-Reiten-Smalo, and
also for the category of chain complexes $Ch(B)$ and the derived category
$D(B)$ of $B$. We also describe the DG structure on $Ch(B)$. As a consequence,
we find new proofs of certain results of Happel-Reiten-Smalo. The main
ingredient is the category of {\em decorated} complexes.


title: Lectures on derived and triangulated categories

abstract:
  These notes are meant to provide a rapid introduction to triangulated
categories. We start with the definition of an additive category and end with a
glimps of tilting theory. Some exercises are included.


title: Group actions on algebraic stacks via butterflies

abstract:
  We introduce an explicit method for studying actions of a group stack G on an
algebraic stack X. As an example, we study in detail the case where
X=P(n_0,...,n_r) is a weighted projective stack over an arbitrary base S. To
this end, we give an explicit description of the group stack of automorphisms
of, the weighted projective general linear 2-group PGL(n_0,...,n_r). As an
application, we use a result of Colliot-Thelene to show that for every linear
algebraic group G over an arbitrary base field k (assumed to be reductive if
char(k)>0) such that Pic}(G)=0, every action of G on P(n_0,...,n_r) lifts to a
linear action of G on A^{r+1}.


title: Modal Extraction in Spatially Extended Systems

abstract:
  We describe a practical procedure for extracting the spatial structure and
the growth rates of slow eigenmodes of a spatially extended system, using a
unique experimental capability both to impose and to perturb desired initial
states. The procedure is used to construct experimentally the spectrum of
linear modes near the secondary instability boundary in Rayleigh-B\'{e}nard
convection. This technique suggests an approach to experimental
characterization of more complex dynamical states such as periodic orbits or
spatiotemporal chaos.


title: Unstable and Stable Galaxy Models

abstract:
  To determine the stability and instability of a given steady galaxy
configuration is one of the fundamental problems in the Vlasov theory for
galaxy dynamics. In this article, we study the stability of isotropic spherical
symmetric galaxy models $f_{0}(E)$, for which the distribution function $f_{0}$
depends on the particle energy $E$ only. In the first part of the article, we
derive the first sufficient criterion for linear instability of $f_{0}(E):$
$f_{0}(E)$ is linearly unstable if the second-order operator \[
A_{0}\equiv-\Delta+4\pi\int f_{0}^{\prime}(E)\{I-\mathcal{P}\}dv \] has a
negative direction, where $\mathcal{P}$ is the projection onto the function
space $\{g(E,L)\},$ $L$ being the angular momentum [see the explicit formula
(\ref{A0-radial})]. In the second part of the article, we prove that for the
important King model, the corresponding $A_{0}$ is positive definite. Such a
positivity leads to the nonlinear stability of the King model under all
spherically symmetric perturbations.


title: Flops connect minimal models

abstract: A remark on a paper by Birkar-Cascini-Hacon-McKernan.


title: A product formula for volumes of varieties

abstract: A simple application of the semipositivity.


title: An Alternative Topological Field Theory of Generalized Complex Geometry

abstract:
  We propose a new topological field theory on generalized complex geometry in
two dimension using AKSZ formulation. Zucchini's model is $A$ model in the case
that the generalized complex structuredepends on only a symplectic structure.
Our new model is $B$ model in the case that the generalized complex structure
depends on only a complex structure.


title: Phenomenological theory of spin excitations in La- and Y-based cuprates

abstract:
  Motivated by recent inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments on
La-based cuprates and based on the fermiology theories, we study the spin
susceptibility for La-based (e.g., La$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$) and Y-based (e.g.,
YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_y$) cuprates, respectively. The spin excitation in
YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_y$ is dominated by a sharp resonance peak at the frequency 40
meV in the superconducting state. Below and above the resonance frequency, the
incommensurate (IC) peaks develop and the intensity of the peaks decreases
dramatically. In the normal state, the resonant excitation does not occur and
the IC peaks are merged into commensurate ones. The spin excitation of
La$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ is significantly different from that of Y-based ones,
namely, the resonance peak does not exist due to the decreasing of the
superconducting gap and the presence of the possible spin-stripe order. The
spectra are only enhanced at the expected resonance frequency (about 18 meV)
while it is still incommensurate. On the other hand, another frequency scale at
the frequency 55 meV is also revealed, namely the spectra are commensurate and
local maximum at this frequency. We elaborate all the results based on the
Fermi surface topology and the d-wave superconductivity, and suggest that the
spin-stripe order be also important in determining the spin excitation of
La-based cuprates. A coherent picture for the spin excitations is presented for
Y-based and La-based cuprates.


title:
Magnetic susceptibility and specific heat of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg
  model on the kagome lattice and experimental data on ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2

abstract:
  We compute the magnetic susceptibility and specific heat of the spin-1/2
Heisenberg model on the kagome lattice with high-temperature expansions and
exact diagonalizations. We compare the results with the experimental data on
ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2 obtained by Helton et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 107204 (2007)].
Down to k_BT/J~0.2, our calculations reproduce accurately the experimental
susceptibility, with an exchange interaction J~190K and a contribution of 3.7%
of weakly interacting impurity spins. The comparison between our calculations
of the specific heat and the experiments indicate that the low-temperature
entropy (below ~20K) is smaller in ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2 than in the kagome Heisenberg
model, a likely signature of other interactions in the system.


title:
Environmental dielectric screening effect on exciton transition energies
  in single-walled carbon nanotubes

abstract:
  Environmental dielectric screening effects on exciton transition energies in
single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been studied quantitatively in the
range of dielectric constants from 1.0 to 37 by immersing SWNTs bridged over
trenches in various organic solvents by means of photoluminescence and the
excitation spectroscopies. With increasing environmental dielectric constant
($\epsilon_{\rm env}$), both $E_{11}$ and $E_{22}$ exhibited a redshift by
several tens meV and a tendency to saturate at a $\epsilon_{\rm env} \sim 5$
without an indication of significant ($n$,$m$) dependence. The redshifts can be
explained by dielectric screening of the repulsive electron-electron
interaction. The $\epsilon_{\rm env}$ dependence of $E_{11}$ and $E_{22}$ can
be expressed by a simple empirical equation with a power law in $\epsilon_{\rm
env}$, $E_{\rm ii} = E_{\rm ii}^{\infty} + A\epsilon_{\rm env}^{-\alpha}$. We
also immersed a sample in sodium-dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) solution to investigate
the effects of wrapping SWNTs with surfactant. The resultant $E_{11}$ and
$E_{22}$, which agree well with Weisman's data [Nano Lett. {\bf 3}, 1235
(2003)], are close to those of $\epsilon_{\rm env}$ of 2. However, in addition
to the shift due to dielectric screening, another shift was observed so that
the ($2n+m$)-family patterns spread more widely, similar to that of the
uniaxial-stress-induced shift.


title: Cyclic cohomology of certain nuclear Fr\'echet and DF algebras

abstract:
  We give explicit formulae for the continuous Hochschild and cyclic homology
and cohomology of certain topological algebras. To this end we show that, for a
continuous morphism $\phi: \X\to \Y$ of complexes of complete nuclear
$DF$-spaces, the isomorphism of cohomology groups $H^n(\phi): H^n(\X) \to
H^n(\Y)$ is automatically topological. The continuous cyclic-type homology and
cohomology are described up to topological isomorphism for the following
classes of biprojective $\hat{\otimes}$-algebras: the tensor algebra $E
\hat{\otimes} F$ generated by the duality $(E, F, < \cdot, \cdot >)$ for
nuclear Fr\'echet spaces $E$ and $F$ or for nuclear $DF$-spaces $E$ and $F$;
nuclear biprojective K\"{o}the algebras $\lambda(P)$ which are Fr\'echet spaces
or $DF$-spaces; the algebra of distributions $\mathcal{E}^*(G)$ on a compact
Lie group $G$.


title: The on-line shortest path problem under partial monitoring

abstract:
  The on-line shortest path problem is considered under various models of
partial monitoring. Given a weighted directed acyclic graph whose edge weights
can change in an arbitrary (adversarial) way, a decision maker has to choose in
each round of a game a path between two distinguished vertices such that the
loss of the chosen path (defined as the sum of the weights of its composing
edges) be as small as possible. In a setting generalizing the multi-armed
bandit problem, after choosing a path, the decision maker learns only the
weights of those edges that belong to the chosen path. For this problem, an
algorithm is given whose average cumulative loss in n rounds exceeds that of
the best path, matched off-line to the entire sequence of the edge weights, by
a quantity that is proportional to 1/\sqrt{n} and depends only polynomially on
the number of edges of the graph. The algorithm can be implemented with linear
complexity in the number of rounds n and in the number of edges. An extension
to the so-called label efficient setting is also given, in which the decision
maker is informed about the weights of the edges corresponding to the chosen
path at a total of m << n time instances. Another extension is shown where the
decision maker competes against a time-varying path, a generalization of the
problem of tracking the best expert. A version of the multi-armed bandit
setting for shortest path is also discussed where the decision maker learns
only the total weight of the chosen path but not the weights of the individual
edges on the path. Applications to routing in packet switched networks along
with simulation results are also presented.


title: Curvature estimates for Weingarten hypersurfaces in Riemannian manifolds

abstract:
  We prove curvature estimates for general curvature functions. As an
application we show the existence of closed, strictly convex hypersurfaces with
prescribed curvature $F$, where the defining cone of $F$ is $\C_+$. $F$ is only
assumed to be monotone, symmetric, homogeneous of degree 1, concave and of
class $C^{m,\al}$, $m\ge4$.


title:
Almost sure functional central limit theorem for non-nestling random
  walk in random environment

abstract:
  We consider a non-nestling random walk in a product random environment. We
assume an exponential moment for the step of the walk, uniformly in the
environment. We prove an invariance principle (functional central limit
theorem) under almost every environment for the centered and diffusively scaled
walk. The main point behind the invariance principle is that the quenched mean
of the walk behaves subdiffusively.


title:
The Effect of Annealing Temperature on Statistical Properties of $WO_3$
  Surface

abstract:
  We have studied the effect of annealing temperature on the statistical
properties of $WO_3$ surface using atomic force microscopy techniques (AFM). We
have applied both level crossing and structure function methods. Level crossing
analysis indicates an optimum annealing temperature of around 400$^oC$ at which
the effective area of the $WO_3$ thin film is maximum, whereas composition of
the surface remains stoichiometric. The complexity of the height fluctuation of
surfaces was characterized by roughness, roughness exponent and lateral size of
surface features. We have found that there is a phase transition at around
400$^oC$ from one set to two sets of roughness parameters. This happens due to
microstructural changes from amorphous to crystalline structure in the samples
that has been already found experimentally.


title:
Determination of Low-Energy Parameters of Neutron--Proton Scattering on
  the Basis of Modern Experimental Data from Partial-Wave Analyses

abstract:
  The triplet and singlet low-energy parameters in the effective-range
expansion for neutron--proton scattering are determined by using the latest
experimental data on respective phase shifts from the SAID nucleon--nucleon
database. The results differ markedly from the analogous parameters obtained on
the basis of the phase shifts of the Nijmegen group and contradict the
parameter values that are presently used as experimental ones. The values found
with the aid of the phase shifts from the SAID nucleon--nucleon database for
the total cross section for the scattering of zero-energy neutrons by protons,
$\sigma_{0}=20.426 $b, and the neutron--proton coherent scattering length,
$f=-3.755 $fm, agree perfectly with the experimental cross-section values
obtained by Houk, $\sigma_{0}=20.436\pm 0.023 $b, and experimental
scattering-length values obtained by Houk and Wilson, $f=-3.756\pm 0.009 $fm,
but they contradict cross-section values of $\sigma_{0}=20.491\pm 0.014 $b
according to Dilg and coherent-scattering-length values of $f=-3.7409\pm 0.0011
$fm according to Koester and Nistler.


title: Simulation of Ultra High Energy Neutrino Interactions in Ice and Water

abstract:
  The CORSIKA program, usually used to simulate extensive cosmic ray air
showers, has been adapted to work in a water or ice medium. The adapted CORSIKA
code was used to simulate hadronic showers produced by neutrino interactions.
The simulated showers have been used to study the spatial distribution of the
deposited energy in the showers. This allows a more precise determination of
the acoustic signals produced by ultra high energy neutrinos than has been
possible previously. The properties of the acoustic signals generated by such
showers are described.


title: The Measure for the Multiverse and the Probability for Inflation

abstract:
  We investigate the measure problem in the framework of inflationary
cosmology. The measure of the history space is constructed and applied to
inflation models. Using this measure, it is shown that the probability for the
generalized single field slow roll inflation to last for $N$ e-folds is
suppressed by a factor $\exp(-3N)$, and the probability for the generalized
$n$-field slow roll inflation is suppressed by a much larger factor
$\exp(-3nN)$. Some non-inflationary models such as the cyclic model do not
suffer from this difficulty.


title: $B_s^0 \to \eta^{(\prime)} \eta^{(\prime)}$ decays in the pQCD approach

abstract:
  We calculate the CP averaged branching ratios and CP-violating asymmetries
for $B_s^0 \to \eta \eta, \eta \eta^\prime$ and $\eta^\prime \eta^\prime$
decays in the perturbative QCD (pQCD) approach here. The pQCD predictions for
the CP-averaged branching ratios are $Br(B_s^0 \to \eta \eta) = \left
(14.2^{+18.0}_{-7.5}) \times 10^{-6}$, $Br(B_s^0 \to \eta \eta^\prime)= \left
(12.4 ^{+18.2}_{-7.0}) \times 10^{-6}$, and $Br(B_s^0 \to \eta^{\prime}
\eta^{\prime}) = \left (9.2^{+15.3}_{-4.9}) \times 10^{-6}$, which agree well
with those obtained by employing the QCD factorization approach and also be
consistent with available experimental upper limits. The gluonic contributions
are small in size: less than 7% for $B_s \to \eta \eta$ and $ \eta \eta^\prime$
decays, and around 18% for $B_s \to \eta' \eta'$ decay. The CP-violating
asymmetries for three decays are very small: less than 3% in magnitude.


title: A neural network approach to ordinal regression

abstract:
  Ordinal regression is an important type of learning, which has properties of
both classification and regression. Here we describe a simple and effective
approach to adapt a traditional neural network to learn ordinal categories. Our
approach is a generalization of the perceptron method for ordinal regression.
On several benchmark datasets, our method (NNRank) outperforms a neural network
classification method. Compared with the ordinal regression methods using
Gaussian processes and support vector machines, NNRank achieves comparable
performance. Moreover, NNRank has the advantages of traditional neural
networks: learning in both online and batch modes, handling very large training
datasets, and making rapid predictions. These features make NNRank a useful and
complementary tool for large-scale data processing tasks such as information
retrieval, web page ranking, collaborative filtering, and protein ranking in
Bioinformatics.


title:
Controlling surface statistical properties using bias voltage: Atomic
  force microscopy and stochastic analysis

abstract:
  The effect of bias voltages on the statistical properties of rough surfaces
has been studied using atomic force microscopy technique and its stochastic
analysis. We have characterized the complexity of the height fluctuation of a
rough surface by the stochastic parameters such as roughness exponent, level
crossing, and drift and diffusion coefficients as a function of the applied
bias voltage. It is shown that these statistical as well as microstructural
parameters can also explain the macroscopic property of a surface. Furthermore,
the tip convolution effect on the stochastic parameters has been examined.


title: Etched Glass Surfaces, Atomic Force Microscopy and Stochastic Analysis

abstract:
  The effect of etching time scale of glass surface on its statistical
properties has been studied using atomic force microscopy technique. We have
characterized the complexity of the height fluctuation of a etched surface by
the stochastic parameters such as intermittency exponents, roughness, roughness
exponents, drift and diffusion coefficients and find their variations in terms
of the etching time.


title:
Measurements of Single and Double Spin Asymmetry in \textit{pp} Elastic
  Scattering in the CNI Region with Polarized Hydrogen Gas Jet Target

abstract:
  Precise measurements of the single spin asymmetry, $A_N$ and the double spin
asymmetry, $A_{NN}$, in proton-proton (\textit{pp}) elastic scattering in the
region of four-momentum transfer squared $0.001 < -t < 0.032 ({\rm GeV}/c)^2$
have been performed using a polarized atomic hydrogen gas jet target and the
RHIC polarized proton beam at 24 GeV/$c$ and 100 GeV/$c$. The polarized gaseous
proton target allowed us to achieve the measurement of $A_{NN}$ in the CNI
region for the first time. Our results of $A_N$ and $A_{NN}$ provide
significant constraints to determine the magnitude of poorly known hadronic
single and double spin-flip amplitudes at this energy.


title:
Theta constants identities for Jacobians of cyclic 3-sheeted covers of
  the sphere and representations of the symmetric group

abstract:
  We find identities between theta constants with rational characteristics
evaluated at period matrix of $R,$ a cyclic 3 sheeted cover of the sphere with
$3k$ branch points $\lambda_1...\lambda_{3k}.$ These identities follow from
Thomae formula \cite{BR}. This formula expresses powers of theta constants as
polynomials in $\lambda_1...\lambda_{3k}.$ We apply the representation of the
symmetric group to find relations between the polynomials and hence between the
associated theta constants.


title: Topology of spaces of equivariant symplectic embeddings

abstract:
  We compute the homotopy type of the space of T^n-equivariant symplectic
embeddings from the standard 2n-dimensional ball of some fixed radius into a
2n-dimensional symplectic-toric manifold M, and use this computation to define
a Z-valued step function on the positive real line which is an invariant of the
symplectic-toric type of M. We conclude with a discussion of the partially
equivariant case of this result.


title: Toric symplectic ball packing

abstract:
  We define and solve the toric version of the symplectic ball packing problem,
in the sense of listing all 2n-dimensional symplectic-toric manifolds which
admit a perfect packing by balls embedded in a symplectic and torus equivariant
fashion.
  In order to do this we first describe a problem in geometric-combinatorics
which is equivalent to the toric symplectic ball packing problem. Then we solve
this problem using arguments from Convex Geometry and Delzant theory.
  Applications to symplectic blowing-up are also presented, and some further
questions are raised in the last section.


title: Anisotropic brane gravity with a confining potential

abstract:
  We consider an anisotropic brane world with Bianchi type I and V geometries
where the mechanism of confining the matter on the brane is through the use of
a confining potential. The resulting equations on the anisotropic brane are
modified by an extra term that may be interpreted as the x-matter, providing a
possible phenomenological explanation for the accelerated expansion of the
universe. We obtain the general solution of the field equations in an exact
parametric form for both Bianchi type I and V space-times. In the special case
of a Bianchi type I the solutions of the field equations are obtained in an
exact analytic form. Finally, we study the behavior of the observationally
important parameters.


title: Maximal ball packings of symplectic-toric manifolds

abstract:
  Let M be a symplectic-toric manifold of dimension at least four. This paper
investigates the so called symplectic ball packing problem in the toral
equivariant setting. We show that the set of toric symplectic ball packings of
M admits the structure of a convex polytope. Previous work of the first author
shows that up to equivalence, only CP^1 x CP^1 and CP^2 admit density one
packings when n=2 and only CP^n admits density one packings when n>2. In
contrast, we show that for a fixed n>=2 and each r in (0, 1), there are
uncountably many inequivalent 2n-dimensional symplectic-toric manifolds with a
maximal toric packing of density r. This result follows from a general analysis
of how the densities of maximal packings change while varying a given
symplectic-toric manifold through a family of symplectic-toric manifolds that
are equivariantly diffeomorphic but not equivariantly symplectomorphic.


title:
Controlled collisions of a single atom and ion guided by movable
  trapping potentials

abstract:
  We consider a system composed of a trapped atom and a trapped ion. The ion
charge induces in the atom an electric dipole moment, which attracts it with an
r^{-4} dependence at large distances. In the regime considered here, the
characteristic range of the atom-ion interaction is comparable or larger than
the characteristic size of the trapping potential, which excludes the
application of the contact pseudopotential. The short-range part of the
interaction is described in the framework of quantum-defect theory, by
introducing some short-range parameters, which can be related to the s-wave
scattering length. When the separation between traps is changed we observe
trap-induced shape resonances between molecular bound states and vibrational
states of the external trapping potential. Our analysis is extended to
quasi-one-dimensional geometries, when the scattering exhibit
confinement-induced resonances, similar to the ones studied before for
short-range interactions. For quasi-one-dimensional systems we investigate the
effects of coupling between the center of mass and relative motion, which
occurs for different trapping frequencies of atom and ion traps. Finally, we
show how the two types of resonances can be employed for quantum state control
and spectroscopy of atom-ion molecules.


title: Counting BPS operators in N=4 SYM

abstract:
  The free field partition function for a generic U(N) gauge theory, where the
fundamental fields transform in the adjoint representation, is analysed in
terms of symmetric polynomial techniques. It is shown by these means how this
is related to the cycle polynomial for the symmetric group and how the large N
result may be easily recovered. Higher order corrections for finite N are also
discussed in terms of symmetric group characters. For finite N, the partition
function involving a single bosonic fundamental field is recovered and explicit
counting of multi-trace quarter BPS operators in free \N=4 super Yang Mills
discussed, including a general result for large N. The partition function for
BPS operators in the chiral ring of \N=4 super Yang Mills is analysed in terms
of plane partitions. Asymptotic counting of BPS primary operators with
differing R-symmetry charges is discussed in both free \N=4 super Yang Mills
and in the chiral ring. Also, general and explicit expressions are derived for
SU(2) gauge theory partition functions, when the fundamental fields transform
in the adjoint, for free field theory.


title:
Symplectic homology, autonomous Hamiltonians, and Morse-Bott moduli
  spaces

abstract:
  We define Floer homology for a time-independent, or autonomous Hamiltonian on
a symplectic manifold with contact type boundary, under the assumption that its
1-periodic orbits are transversally nondegenerate. Our construction is based on
Morse-Bott techniques for Floer trajectories. Our main motivation is to
understand the relationship between linearized contact homology of a fillable
contact manifold and symplectic homology of its filling.


title:
Recent Results on Thermal Casimir Force between Dielectrics and Related
  Problems

abstract:
  We review recent results obtained in the physics of the thermal Casimir force
acting between two dielectrics, dielectric and metal, and between metal and
semiconductor. The detailed derivation for the low-temperature behavior of the
Casimir free energy, pressure and entropy in the configuration of two real
dielectric plates is presented. For dielectrics with finite static dielectric
permittivity it is shown that the Nernst heat theorem is satisfied. Hence, the
Lifshitz theory of the van der Waals and Casimir forces is demonstrated to be
consistent with thermodynamics. The nonzero dc conductivity of dielectric
plates is proved to lead to a violation of the Nernst heat theorem and, thus,
is not related to the phenomenon of dispersion forces. The low-temperature
asymptotics of the Casimir free energy, pressure and entropy are derived also
in the configuration of one metal and one dielectric plate. The results are
shown to be consistent with thermodynamics if the dielectric plate possesses a
finite static dielectric permittivity. If the dc conductivity of a dielectric
plate is taken into account this results in the violation of the Nernst heat
theorem. We discuss both the experimental and theoretical results related to
the Casimir interaction between metal and semiconductor with different charge
carrier density. Discussions in the literature on the possible influence of
spatial dispersion on the thermal Casimir force are analyzed. In conclusion,
the conventional Lifshitz theory taking into account only the frequency
dispersion remains the reliable foundation for the interpretation of all
present experiments.


title: Higher dimensional conundra

abstract:
  We study asymptotics of various Euclidean geometric phenomena as the
dimension tend to infinity.


title: Entangling and disentangling capacities of nonlocal maps

abstract:
  Entangling and disentangling capacities are the key manifestation of the
nonlocal content of a quantum operation. A lot of effort has been put recently
into investigating (dis)entangling capacities of unitary operations, but very
little is known about capacities of non-unitary operations. Here we investigate
(dis)entangling capacities of unital CPTP maps acting on two qubits.


title: On the Kolmogorov-Chaitin Complexity for short sequences

abstract:
  A drawback of Kolmogorov-Chaitin complexity (K) as a function from s to the
shortest program producing s is its noncomputability which limits its range of
applicability. Moreover, when strings are short, the dependence of K on a
particular universal Turing machine U can be arbitrary. In practice one can
approximate it by computable compression methods. However, such compression
methods do not always provide meaningful approximations--for strings shorter,
for example, than typical compiler lengths. In this paper we suggest an
empirical approach to overcome this difficulty and to obtain a stable
definition of the Kolmogorov-Chaitin complexity for short sequences.
Additionally, a correlation in terms of distribution frequencies was found
across the output of two models of abstract machines, namely unidimensional
cellular automata and deterministic Turing machine.


title: The redshift and geometrical aspect of photons

abstract:
  The cosmological redshift phenomenon can be described by the dark matter
field fluid model, the results deduced from this model agree very well with the
observations. The observed cosmological redshift of light depends on both the
speed of the emitter and the distance between the emitter and the observer. If
the emitter moves away from us, a redshift is observed. If the emitter moves
towards us, whether a redshift, a blueshift or no shift is observed will depend
on the speed vs. the distance. If the speed is in the range of
c(exp[-beta*D]-1) < v < 0, a redshift is observed; if the speed equals
c(exp[-beta*D]-1), no shift is observed; if the speed v less than
c(exp[-beta*D]-1), a blueshift is observed. A redshift will be always observed
in all directions for any celestial objects as long as their distance from us
is large enough. Therefore, many more redshifts than blueshifts should be
observed for galaxies and supernovae, etc in the sky. This conclusion agrees
with current observations. The estimated value of the redshift constant beta of
the dark matter field fluid is in the range of 10^(-3) ~ 10^(-5)/Mpc. A large
redshift value from a distant celestial object may not necessarily indicate
that it has a large receding speed. Based on the redshift effect of dark matter
field fluid, it is concluded that at least in time average all photons have the
same geometry (size and shape) in all inertial reference frames and do not have
length contraction effect.


title: Cool Stars in Hot Places

abstract:
  During the last three decades, evidence has mounted that star and planet
formation is not an isolated process, but is influenced by current and previous
generations of stars. Although cool stars form in a range of environments, from
isolated globules to rich embedded clusters, the influences of other stars on
cool star and planet formation may be most significant in embedded clusters,
where hundreds to thousands of cool stars form in close proximity to OB stars.
At the cool stars 14 meeting, a splinter session was convened to discuss the
role of environment in the formation of cool stars and planetary systems; with
an emphasis on the ``hot'' environment found in rich clusters. We review here
the basic results, ideas and questions presented at the session. We have
organized this contribution into five basic questions: what is the typical
environment of cool star formation, what role do hot star play in cool star
formation, what role does environment play in planet formation, what is the
role of hot star winds and supernovae, and what was the formation environment
of the Sun? The intention is to review progress made in addressing each
question, and to underscore areas of agreement and contention.


title: Heights and metrics with logarithmic singularities

abstract:
  We prove lower bound and finiteness properties for arakelovian heights with
respect to pre-log-log hermitian ample line bundles. These heights were
introduced by Burgos, Kramer and K\"uhn, in their extension of the arithmetic
intersection theory of Gillet and Soul\'e, aimed to deal with hermitian vector
bundles equipped with metrics admitting suitable logarithmic singularities. Our
results generalize the corresponding properties for the heights of
Bost-Gillet-Soul\'e, as well as the properties established by Faltings for
heights of points attached to hermitian line bundles whose metrics have
logarithmic singularities. We also discuss various geometric constructions
where such pre-log-log hermitian ample line bundles naturally arise.


title:
Bar-Halo Friction in Galaxies III: Particle Number Requirements for
  Simulations

abstract:
  The question whether the dark matter halo density in the centers of galaxies
could be changed through interactions with a rotating bar in the baryonic disk
is of considerable current interest. While N-body simulations have been used to
address this question, it has also been claimed that results from such
simulations cannot be trusted. Based on a perturbative treatment of resonant
exchanges between orbits and a rotating perturbation, Weinberg & Katz contend
that N-body simulations of this process will not reveal the continuum result
unless many more than the usual numbers of particles are employed. Here I
report a study designed to examine their contention, finding results that show
no dependence on the number of particles over the range usually employed up to
that advocated by these authors. I show that my results are independent of all
numerical parameters, and that field methods perform equally with grid methods
in this respect. I also identify the reasons that the required particle number
suggested by Weinberg & Katz is excessive.


title:
Anisotropic quasiparticle renormalization in Na0.73CoO2: role of
  inter-orbital interactions and magnetic correlations

abstract:
  We report an angular resolved photoemission study of Na0.73CoO2 where it is
found that the renormalization of the quasiparticle (QP) dispersion changes
dramatically upon a rotation from GM to GK. The comparison of the experimental
data to the calculated band structure reveals that the QP-renormalization is
most pronounced along the GK-direction, while it is significantly weaker along
the GM-direction. We discuss the observed anisotropy in terms of multiorbital
effects and point out the relevance of magnetic correlations for the band
structure of Na0.73CoO2.


title: Charmless Three-body Decays of B Mesons

abstract:
  Charmless 3-body decays of B mesons are studied in the framework of the
factorization approach. The nonresonant contributions arising from $B\to
P_1P_2$ transitions are evaluated using heavy meson chiral perturbation theory
(HMChPT). The momentum dependence of nonresonant amplitudes is assumed to be in
the exponential form $e^{-\alpha_{NR}} p_B\cdot(p_i+p_j)}$ so that the HMChPT
results are recovered in the soft meson limit $p_i, p_j\to 0$. In addition, we
have identified another large source of the nonresonant signal in the matrix
elements of scalar densities, e.g. $<K\bar K|\bar ss|0>$, which can be
constrained from the decay $\bar B^0\to K_SK_SK_S$ or $B^-\to K^-K_SK_S$. The
intermediate vector meson contributions to 3-body decays are identified through
the vector current, while the scalar meson resonances are mainly associated
with the scalar density. Their effects are described in terms of the
Breit-Wigner formalism. Our main results are: (i) All KKK modes are dominated
by the nonresonant background. The predicted branching ratios of
$K^+K^-K_{S(L)}$, $K^+K^-K^-$ and $K^-K_SK_S$ modes are consistent with the
data within errors. (ii) Although the penguin-dominated $B^0\to K^+K^-K_{S}$
decay is subject to a potentially significant tree pollution, its effective
$\sin 2\beta$ is very similar to that of the $K_SK_SK_S$ mode. However, direct
CP asymmetry of the former, being of order -4%, is more prominent than the
latter. (iii) For $B\to K\pi\pi$ decays, we found sizable nonresonant
contributions in $K^-\pi^+\pi^-$ and $\bar K^0\pi^+\pi^-$ modes, in agreement
with the Belle measurements but larger than the BaBar result.


title:
Electrical transport properties of polar heterointerface between KTaO3
  and SrTiO3

abstract:
  Electrical transport of a polar heterointerface between two insulating
perovskites, KTaO3 and SrTiO3, is studied. It is formed between a thin KTaO3
film deposited on a top of TiO2- terminated (100) SrTiO3 substrate. The
resulting (KO)1-(TiO2)0 heterointerface is expected to be hole-doped according
to formal valences of K (1+) and Ti (4+). We observed electrical conductivity
and mobility in the KTaO3/SrTiO3 similar to values measured earlier in
electron-doped LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterointerfaces. However, the sign of the charge
carriers in KTaO3/SrTiO3 obtained from the Hall measurements is negative. The
result is an important clue to the true origin of the doping at perovskite
oxide hetero-interfaces.


title: The Angular Separation of the Components of the Cepheid AW Per

abstract:
  The 6.4 day classical Cepheid AW Per is a spectroscopic binary with a period
of 40 years. Analyzing the centroids of HST/STIS spectra obtained in November
2001, we have determined the angular separation of the binary system. Although
we currently have spatially resolved data for a single epoch in the orbit, the
success of our approach opens the possibility of determining the inclination,
sini, for the system if the measurements are repeated at additional epochs.
Since the system is potentially a double lined spectroscopic binary, the
combination of spectroscopic orbits for both components and the visual orbit
would give the distance to the system and the masses of its components, thereby
providing a direct measurement of a Cepheid mass.


title: Transverse field effect in graphene ribbons

abstract:
  It is shown that a graphene ribbon, a ballistic strip of carbon monolayer,
may serve as a quantum wire whose electronic properties can be continuously and
reversibly controlled by an externally applied transverse voltage. The electron
bands of armchair-edge ribbons undergo dramatic transformations: The Fermi
surface fractures, Fermi velocity and effective mass change sign, and
excitation gaps are reduced by the transverse field. These effects are manifest
in the conductance plateaus, van Hove singularities, thermopower, and activated
transport. The control over one-dimensional bands may help enhance effects of
electron correlations, and be utilized in device applications.


title: Domain Switching Kinetics in Disordered Ferroelectric Thin Films

abstract:
  We investigated domain kinetics by measuring the polarization switching
behaviors of polycrystalline Pb(Zr,Ti)O$_{3}$ films, which are widely used in
ferroelectric memory devices. Their switching behaviors at various electric
fields and temperatures could be explained by assuming the Lorentzian
distribution of domain switching times. We viewed the switching process under
an electric field as a motion of the ferroelectric domain through a random
medium, and we showed that the local field variation due to dipole defects at
domain pinning sites could explain the intriguing distribution.


title:
Geometry of Time, Axiom of Choice and Neuro-Biological Quantum Zeno
  Effect

abstract:
  Role of axiom of choice in quantum measurement is highlighted by suggesting
that the conscious observer chooses the outcome from a mixed state. Further, in
a periodically repeating universe, these outcomes must be pre-recorded within
the non-physical conscious observers, which precludes free will. Free will
however exists in a universe with open time, It is suggested that psychology's
binding problem is connected with Cantor's original definition of set.
Influence of consciousness on material outcome through quantum processes is
discussed and interesting constraints derived. For example, it is predicted
that quantum mechanical brain states should get frozen if monitored at
sufficiently small space-time intervals - a neuro-biological version of the so
called quantum zeno effect, which has been verified in domain of micro-physics.
Existence of a very small micro-mini-black-hole in brain is predicted as a
space-time structural interface between consciousness and brain, whose
vaporization explains mass-loss reported in weighing experiments, conducting
during the moments of death.


title:
Probing the Structure of Gamma-Ray Burst Jets with Steep Decay Phase of
  their Early X-ray Afterglows

abstract:
  We show that the jet structure of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) can be investigated
with the tail emission of the prompt GRB. The tail emission which we consider
is identified as a steep-decay component of the early X-ray afterglow observed
by the X-ray Telescope onboard Swift. Using a Monte Carlo method, we derive,
for the first time, the distribution of the decay index of the GRB tail
emission for various jet models. The new definitions of the zero of time and
the time interval of a fitting region are proposed. These definitions for
fitting the light curve lead us an unique definition of the decay index, which
is useful to investigate the structure of the GRB jet. We find that if the GRB
jet has a core-envelope structure, the predicted distribution of the decay
index of the tail has a wide scatter and has multiple peaks, which cannot be
seen for the case of the uniform and the Gaussian jet. Therefore, the decay
index distribution tells us the information on the jet structure. Especially,
if we observe events whose decay index is less than about 2, both the uniform
and the Gaussian jet models will be disfavored according to our simulation
study.


title: Black Hole's Life at colliders

abstract:
  In the series of papers by Ida, Oda and Park, the complete description of
Hawking radiation to the brane localized Standard Model fields from mini black
holes in the low energy gravity scenarios are obtained. Here we briefly review
what we have learned in those papers.


title: Working with 2s and 3s

abstract:
  We establish an equivalent condition to the validity of the Collatz
conjecture, using elementary methods. We derive some conclusions and show
several examples of our results. We also offer a variety of exercises, problems
and conjectures.


title: Dark energy, gravitation and supernovae

abstract:
  The discovery of the acceleration of the rate of expansion of the Universe
fosters new explorations of the behavior of gravitation theories in the
cosmological context. Either the GR framework is valid but a cosmic component
with a negative equation of state is dominating the energy--matter contents or
the Universe is better described at large by a theory that departs from GR. In
this review we address theoretical alternatives that have been explored through
supernovae.


title: Decartes' Perfect Lens

abstract:
  We give a new, elementary, purely analytical development of
\textsc{Descartes}' theorem that a smooth connected surface is a perfect
focusing lens if and only if it is a connected subset of the ovoid obtained by
revolving a cartesian oval around its axis of symmetry.


title:
Deformation of Dijkgraaf-Vafa Relation via Spontaneously Broken N=2
  Supersymmetry

abstract:
  It is known that the fermionic shift symmetry of the N=1, U(N) gauge model
with a superpotential of an adjoint chiral superfield is replaced by the second
(spontaneously broken) supersymmetry in the N=2, U(N) gauge model with a
prepotential and Fayet-Iliopoulos parameters. Based on a diagrammatic analysis,
we demonstrate how the well-known form of the effective superpotential in the
former model is modified in the latter. A set of two equations on the one-point
functions stating the Konishi anomaly is modified accordingly.


title: Comment on "Chiral Suppression of Scalar Glueball Decay"

abstract: Comment on ``Chiral Suppression of Scalar Glueball Decay''


title:
Scaling p_T distributions for p and \bar{p} produced in Au+Au collisions
  at RHIC

abstract:
  With the experimental data from STAR and PHENIX on the centrality dependence
of the $p_T$ spectra of protons and anti-protons produced at mid-rapidity in
Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV, we show that for protons and anti-protons there
exists a scaling distribution independent of the colliding centrality. The
scaling functions can also describe data from BRAHMS for both proton and
anti-proton spectra at $y=2.2$ and 3.2. The scaling behaviors are shown to be
incompatible with the usual string fragmentation scenario for particle
production.


title: SiO maser observations of a wide dust-temperature range sample

abstract:
  We present the results of SiO line observations of a sample of known SiO
maser sources covering a wide dust-temperature range. The aim of the present
research is to investigate the causes of the correlation between infrared
colors and SiO maser intensity ratios among different transition lines. We
observed in total 75 SiO maser sources with the Nobeyama 45m telescope
quasi-simultaneously in the SiO J=1-0 v=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and J=2-1 v=1, 2 lines.
We also observed the sample in the 29SiO J=1-0 v=0 and J=2-1 v=0, and 30SiO
J=1-0 v=0 lines, and the H2O 6(1,6)-5(2,3) line. As reported in previous
papers, we confirmed that the intensity ratios of the SiO J=1-0 v=2 to v=1
lines clearly correlate with infrared colors. In addition, we found possible
correlation between infrared colors and the intensity ratios of the SiO J=1-0
v=3 to v=1&2 lines.


title:
Excitation Spectrum Gap and Spin-Wave Stiffness of XXZ Heisenberg
  Chains: Global Renormalization-Group Calculation

abstract:
  The anisotropic XXZ spin-1/2 Heisenberg chain is studied using
renormalization-group theory. The specific heats and nearest-neighbor spin-spin
correlations are calculated thoughout the entire temperature and anisotropy
ranges in both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic regions, obtaining a global
description and quantitative results. We obtain, for all anisotropies, the
antiferromagnetic spin-liquid spin-wave velocity and the Isinglike
ferromagnetic excitation spectrum gap, exhibiting the spin-wave to spinon
crossover. A number of characteristics of purely quantum nature are found: The
in-plane interaction s_i^x s_j^x + s_i^y s_j^y induces an antiferromagnetic
correlation in the out-of-plane s_i^z component, at higher temperatures in the
antiferromagnetic XXZ chain, dominantly at low temperatures in the
ferromagnetic XXZ chain, and, in-between, at all temperatures in the XY chain.
We find that the converse effect also occurs in the antiferromagnetic XXZ
chain: an antiferromagnetic s_i^z s_j^z interaction induces a correlation in
the s_i^xy component. As another purely quantum effect, (i) in the
antiferromagnet, the value of the specific heat peak is insensitive to
anisotropy and the temperature of the specific heat peak decreases from the
isotropic (Heisenberg) with introduction of either type (Ising or XY)
anisotropy; (ii) in complete contrast, in the ferromagnet, the value and
temperature of the specific heat peak increase with either type of anisotropy.


title: Precise Control of Band Filling in NaxCoO2

abstract:
  Electronic properties of the sodium cobaltate NaxCoO2 are systematically
studied through a precise control of band filling. Resistivity, magnetic
susceptibility and specific heat measurements are carried out on a series of
high-quality polycrystalline samples prepared at 200 C with Na content in a
wide range of 0.35 =< x =< 0.70. It is found that dramatic changes in
electronic properties take place at a critical Na concentration x* that lies
between 0.58 and 0.59, which separates a Pauli paramagnetic and a Curie-Weiss
metals. It is suggested that at x* the Fermi level touches the bottom of the
a1g band at the gamma point, leading to a crucial change in the density of
states across x* and the emergence of a small electron pocket around the gamma
point for x > x*.


title: Observations on degenerate saddle point problems

abstract:
  We investigate degenerate saddle point problems, which can be viewed as limit
cases of standard mixed formulations of symmetric problems with large jumps in
coefficients. We prove that they are well-posed in a standard norm despite the
degeneracy. By wellposedness we mean a stable dependence of the solution on the
right-hand side. A known approach of splitting the saddle point problem into
separate equations for the primary unknown and for the Lagrange multiplier is
used. We revisit the traditional Ladygenskaya--Babu\v{s}ka--Brezzi (LBB) or
inf--sup condition as well as the standard coercivity condition, and analyze
how they are affected by the degeneracy of the corresponding bilinear forms. We
suggest and discuss generalized conditions that cover the degenerate case. The
LBB or inf--sup condition is necessary and sufficient for wellposedness of the
problem with respect to the Lagrange multiplier under some assumptions. The
generalized coercivity condition is necessary and sufficient for wellposedness
of the problem with respect to the primary unknown under some other
assumptions. We connect the generalized coercivity condition to the
positiveness of the minimum gap of relevant subspaces, and propose several
equivalent expressions for the minimum gap. Our results provide a foundation
for research on uniform wellposedness of mixed formulations of symmetric
problems with large jumps in coefficients in a standard norm, independent of
the jumps. Such problems appear, e.g., in numerical simulations of composite
materials made of components with contrasting properties.


title: Expected Planets in Globular Clusters

abstract:
  We argue that all transient searches for planets in globular clusters have a
very low detection probability. Planets of low metallicity stars typically do
not reside at small orbital separations. The dependance of planetary system
properties on metallicity is clearly seen when the quantity Ie=Mp[a(1-e)]^2 is
considered; Mp, a, e, are the planet mass, semi-major axis, and eccentricity,
respectively. In high metallicity systems there is a concentration of systems
at high and low values of Ie, with a low-populated gap near Ie~0.3 M_J AU^2,
where M_J is Jupiter's mass. In low metallicity systems the concentration is
only at the higher range of I_e, with a tail to low values of Ie. Therefore, it
is still possible that planets exist around main sequence stars in globular
clusters, although at small numbers because of the low metallicity, and at
orbital periods of >~10 days. We discuss the implications of our conclusions on
the role that companions can play in the evolution of their parent stars in
globular clusters, e.g., influencing the distribution of horizontal branch
stars on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram of some globular clusters, and in
forming low mass white dwarfs.


title: Fast paths in large-scale dynamic road networks

abstract:
  Efficiently computing fast paths in large scale dynamic road networks (where
dynamic traffic information is known over a part of the network) is a practical
problem faced by several traffic information service providers who wish to
offer a realistic fast path computation to GPS terminal enabled vehicles. The
heuristic solution method we propose is based on a highway hierarchy-based
shortest path algorithm for static large-scale networks; we maintain a static
highway hierarchy and perform each query on the dynamically evaluated network.


title: Optical Zeno Gate: Bounds for Fault Tolerant Operation

abstract:
  In principle the Zeno effect controlled-sign gate of Franson et al's (PRA 70,
062302, 2004) is a deterministic two-qubit optical gate. However, when
realistic values of photon loss are considered its fidelity is significantly
reduced. Here we consider the use of measurement based quantum processing
techniques to enhance the operation of the Zeno gate. With the help of quantum
teleportation, we show that it is possible to achieve a Zeno CNOT gate (GC-Zeno
gate) that gives (near) unit fidelity and moderate probability of success of
0.76 with a one-photon to two-photon transmission ratio $\kappa=10^4$. We
include some mode-mismatch effects and estimate the bounds on the mode overlap
and $\kappa$ for which fault tolerant operation would be possible.


title:
Differential Diversity Reception of MDPSK over Independent Rayleigh
  Channels with Nonidentical Branch Statistics and Asymmetric Fading Spectrum

abstract:
  This paper is concerned with optimum diversity receiver structure and its
performance analysis of differential phase shift keying (DPSK) with
differential detection over nonselective, independent, nonidentically
distributed, Rayleigh fading channels. The fading process in each branch is
assumed to have an arbitrary Doppler spectrum with arbitrary Doppler bandwidth,
but to have distinct, asymmetric fading power spectral density characteristic.
Using 8-DPSK as an example, the average bit error probability (BEP) of the
optimum diversity receiver is obtained by calculating the BEP for each of the
three individual bits. The BEP results derived are given in exact, explicit,
closed-form expressions which show clearly the behavior of the performance as a
function of various system parameters.


title: Bulk viscosity of superfluid neutron stars

abstract:
  The hydrodynamics, describing dynamical effects in superfluid neutron stars,
essentially differs from the standard one-fluid hydrodynamics. In particular,
we have four bulk viscosity coefficients in the theory instead of one. In this
paper we calculate these coefficients, for the first time, assuming they are
due to non-equilibrium beta-processes (such as modified or direct Urca
process). The results of our analysis are used to estimate characteristic
damping times of sound waves in superfluid neutron stars. It is demonstrated
that all four bulk viscosity coefficients lead to comparable dissipation of
sound waves and should be considered on the same footing.


title:
A Faddeev Calculation for Pentaquark $\Theta^+$ in Diquark Picture with
  Nambu-Jona-Lasinio Type Interaction

abstract:
  A Bethe-Salpeter-Faddeev (BSF) calculation is performed for the pentaquark
$\Theta^+$ in the diquark picture of Jaffe and Wilczek in which $\Theta^+$ is a
diquark-diquark-${\bar s}$ three-body system.
  Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model is used to calculate the lowest order diagrams
in the two-body scatterings of ${\bar s}D$ and $D D$. With the use of coupling
constants determined from the meson sector, we find that ${\bar s}D$
interaction is attractive while $DD$ interaction is repulsive, and there is no
bound $\frac 12^+$ pentaquark state. A bound pentaquark $\Theta^+$ can only be
obtained with unphysically strong vector mesonic coupling constants.


title: Shell-mediated tunnelling between (anti-)de Sitter vacua

abstract:
  We give an extensive study of the tunnelling between arbitrary (anti-)de
Sitter spacetimes separated by an infinitesimally thin relativistic shell in
arbitrary spacetime dimensions. In particular, we find analytically an exact
expression for the tunnelling amplitude.
  The detailed spacetime structures that can arise are discussed, together with
an effective "regularization scheme" for "before tunnelling" configurations.


title:
Markov basis and Groebner basis of Segre-Veronese configuration for
  testing independence in group-wise selections

abstract:
  We consider testing independence in group-wise selections with some
restrictions on combinations of choices. We present models for frequency data
of selections for which it is easy to perform conditional tests by Markov chain
Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. When the restrictions on the combinations can be
described in terms of a Segre-Veronese configuration, an explicit form of a
Gr\"obner basis consisting of moves of degree two is readily available for
performing a Markov chain. We illustrate our setting with the National Center
Test for university entrance examinations in Japan. We also apply our method to
testing independence hypotheses involving genotypes at more than one locus or
haplotypes of alleles on the same chromosome.


title: New Terms for the Compact Form of Electroweak Chiral Lagrangian

abstract:
  The compact form of the electroweak chiral Lagrangian is a reformulation of
its original form and is expressed in terms of chiral rotated electroweak gauge
fields, which is crucial for relating the information of underlying theories to
the coefficients of the low-energy effective Lagrangian. However the compact
form obtained in previous works is not complete. In this letter we add several
new chiral invariant terms to it and discuss the contributions of these terms
to the original electroweak chiral Lagrangian.


title: Seeing maximum entropy from the principle of virtual work

abstract:
  We propose an extension of the principle of virtual work of mechanics to
random dynamics of mechanical systems. The total virtual work of the
interacting forces and inertial forces on every particle of the system is
calculated by considering the motion of each particle. Then according to the
principle of Lagrange-d'Alembert for dynamical equilibrium, the vanishing
ensemble average of the virtual work gives rise to the thermodynamic
equilibrium state with maximization of thermodynamic entropy. This approach
establishes a close relationship between the maximum entropy approach for
statistical mechanics and a fundamental principle of mechanics, and constitutes
an attempt to give the maximum entropy approach, considered by many as only an
inference principle based on the subjectivity of probability and entropy, the
status of fundamental physics law.


title: Microlocal Asymptotic Analysis in Algebras of Generalized Functions

abstract:
  We introduce a new type of local and microlocal asymptotic analysis in
algebras of generalized functions, based on the presheaf properties of those
algebras and on the properties of their elements with respect to a regularizing
parameter. Contrary to the more classical frequential analysis based on the
Fourier transform, we can describe a singular asymptotic spectrum which has
good properties with respect to nonlinear operations. In this spirit we give
several examples of propagation of singularities through nonlinear operators.


title:
1H-NMR Study on the Magnetic Order in the Mixture of Two Spin Gap
  Systems (CH3)2CHNH3CuCl3 and (CH3)2CHNH3CuBr3

abstract:
  The antiferromagnetic ordering in the solid-solution of the two spin-gap
systems (CH3)2CHNH3CuCl3 and (CH3)2CHNH3CuBr3 has been investigated by 1H-NMR.
The sample with the Cl-content ratio x=0.85 showed a clear splitting in spectra
below TN=13.5 K, where the spin-lattice relaxation rate T1-1 showed a diverging
behavior. The critical exponent of the temperature dependence of the hyperfine
field is found to be 0.33.


title:
Instanton Induced Neutrino Majorana Masses in CFT Orientifolds with
  MSSM-like spectra

abstract:
  Recently it has been shown that string instanton effects may give rise to
neutrino Majorana masses in certain classes of semi-realistic string
compactifications. In this paper we make a systematic search for supersymmetric
MSSM-like Type II Gepner orientifold constructions admitting boundary states
associated with instantons giving rise to neutrino Majorana masses and other L-
and/or B-violating operators. We analyze the zero mode structure of D-brane
instantons on general type II orientifold compactifications, and show that only
instantons with O(1) symmetry can have just the two zero modes required to
contribute to the 4d superpotential. We however discuss how the addition of
fluxes and/or possible non-perturbative extensions of the orientifold
compactifications would allow also instantons with $Sp(2)$ and U(1) symmetries
to generate such superpotentials. In the context of Gepner orientifolds with
MSSM-like spectra, we find no models with O(1) instantons with just the
required zero modes to generate a neutrino mass superpotential. On the other
hand we find a number of models in one particular orientifold of the Gepner
model $(2,4,22,22)$ with $Sp(2)$ instantons with a few extra uncharged
non-chiral zero modes which could be easily lifted by the mentioned effects. A
few more orientifold examples are also found under less stringent constraints
on the zero modes. This class of $Sp(2)$ instantons have the interesting
property that R-parity conservation is automatic and the flavour structure of
the neutrino Majorana mass matrices has a simple factorized form.


title:
The solutions of the N-identical quantum harmonic oscillators
  interacting with each other through the harmonic potential

abstract: This paper has been withdrawn by the author due to some mistakes


title: Asymmetry of in-medium rho-mesons as a signature of Cherenkov effects

abstract:
  Cherenkov gluons may be responsible for the asymmetry of dilepton mass
spectra near rho-meson observed in experiment. They can be produced only in the
low-mass wing of the resonance. Therefore the dilepton mass spectra are
flattened there and their peak is slightly shifted to lower masses compared
with the in-vacuum rho-meson mass. This feature must be common for all
resonances.


title:
Superconductivity and magnetic order in CeRhIn$_{5}$; spectra of
  coexistence

abstract:
  We discuss the fixed-point Hamiltonian and the spectrum of excitations of a
quasi-bidimensional electronic system supporting simultaneously
antiferromamagnetic ordering and superconductivity. The coexistence of these
two order parameters in a single phase is possible because the magnetic order
is linked to the formation of a spin density wave, and its order parameter is
not associated to a spectral gap but to an energy shift of the paramagnetic
bands. This peculiarity entails several distinct features in the phase diagram
and the spectral properties of the model, which may have been observed in
CeRhIn$_5$. Apart from the coexistence, we find an abrupt suppression of the
spin density wave when the superconducting and magnetic ordering temperatures
are equal. The divergence of the cyclotron mass extracted from de Haas-van
Alphen experiments is also analyzed in the same framework.


title: B-pairs and (phi,Gamma)-modules

abstract:
  Main change from v1 : theorem C has been modified, see remark 3.1.7 (2).
  We study the category of B-pairs (W_e,W_dR^+) where W_e is a free
B_cris^{phi=1}-module with a semilinear and continuous action of G_K and where
W_dR^+ is a G_K-stable B_dR^+ -lattice in B_dR \otimes W_e. This category
contains the category of p-adic representations and is naturally equivalent to
the category of all (phi,Gamma)-modules over the Robba ring.


title: Vacuum Energy and Renormalization on the Edge

abstract:
  The vacuum dependence on boundary conditions in quantum field theories is
analysed from a very general viewpoint. From this perspective the
renormalization prescriptions not only imply the renormalization of the
couplings of the theory in the bulk but also the appearance of a flow in the
space of boundary conditions. For regular boundaries this flow has a large
variety of fixed points and no cyclic orbit. The family of fixed points
includes Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions. In one-dimensional field
theories pseudoperiodic and quasiperiodic boundary conditions are also RG fixed
points. Under these conditions massless bosonic free field theories are
conformally invariant. Among all fixed points only Neumann boundary conditions
are infrared stable fixed points. All other conformal invariant boundary
conditions become unstable under some relevant perturbations. In finite volumes
we analyse the dependence of the vacuum energy along the trajectories of the
renormalization group flow providing an interesting framework for dark energy
evolution. On the contrary, the renormalization group flow on the boundary does
not affect the leading behaviour of the entanglement entropy of the vacuum in
one-dimensional conformally invariant bosonic theories.


title: Gauge Mediation in String Theory

abstract:
  We show that a large class of phenomenologically viable models for gauge
mediation of supersymmetry breaking based on meta-stable vacua can be realized
in local Calabi-Yau compactifications of string theory.


title: Higher harmonics increase LISA's mass reach for supermassive black holes

abstract:
  Current expectations on the signal to noise ratios and masses of supermassive
black holes which the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) can observe are
based on using in matched filtering only the dominant harmonic of the inspiral
waveform at twice the orbital frequency. Other harmonics will affect the
signal-to-noise ratio of systems currently believed to be observable by LISA.
More significantly, inclusion of other harmonics in our matched filters would
mean that more massive systems that were previously thought to be {\it not}
visible in LISA should be detectable with reasonable SNRs. Our estimates show
that we should be able to significantly increase the mass reach of LISA and
observe the more commonly occurring supermassive black holes of masses $\sim
10^8M_\odot.$ More specifically, with the inclusion of all known harmonics LISA
will be able to observe even supermassive black hole coalescences with total
mass $\sim 10^8 M_\odot (10^9M_\odot)$ (and mass-ratio 0.1) for a low frequency
cut-off of $10^{-4}{\rm Hz}$ $(10^{-5}{\rm Hz})$ with an SNR up to $\sim 60$
$(\sim 30)$ at a distance of 3 Gpc. This is important from the astrophysical
viewpoint since observational evidence for the existence of black holes in this
mass range is quite strong and binaries containing such supermassive black
holes will be inaccessible to LISA if one uses as detection templates only the
dominant harmonic.


title: EPR, Bell, Schrodinger's cat, and the Monty Hall Paradox

abstract:
  The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a short pedagogical explanation
why "quantum collapse" is not a metaphysical event, by pointing out the analogy
with a "classical collapse" which is associated with the Monty Hall Paradox.


title:
Extended Comment on "One-Range Addition Theorems for Coulomb Interaction
  Potential and Its Derivatives" by I. I. Guseinov (Chem. Phys. Vol. 309
  (2005), pp. 209 - 213)

abstract:
  Addition theorems are principal tools that express a function $f (\bm{r} \pm
\bm{r}')$ in terms of products of other functions that only depend on either
$\bm{r}$ or $\bm{r}'$. The best known example of such an addition theorem is
the Laplace expansion of the Coulomb potential which possesses a characteristic
two-range form. Guseinov [Chem. Phys. {\bf 309}, 209 - 213 (2005)] derived
one-range addition theorems for the Coulomb potential via the limit $\beta \to
0$ in previously derived one-range addition theorems for the Yukawa potential
$\exp \bigl(-\beta | \bm{r}-\bm{r}'| \bigr) /| \bm{r}-\bm{r}'|$. At first
sight, this looks like a remarkable achievement, but from a mathematical point
of view, Guseinov's work is at best questionable and in some cases
fundamentally flawed. One-range addition theorems are expansions in terms of
functions that are complete and orthonormal in a given Hilbert space, but
Guseinov replaced the complete and orthonormal functions by nonorthogonal
Slater-type functions and rearranged the resulting expansions. This is a
dangerous operation whose validity must be checked. It is shown that the
one-center limit $\bm{r}' = \bm{0}$ of Guseinov's rearranged Yukawa addition
theorems as well as of several other addition theorems does not exist.
Moreover, the Coulomb potential does not belong to any of the Hilbert spaces
implicitly used by Guseinov. Accordingly, one-range addition theorems for the
Coulomb potential diverge in the mean. Instead, these one-range addition
theorems have to interpreted as expansions of generalized functions in the
sense of Schwartz that converge weakly in suitable functionals.


title: Representative Ensembles in Statistical Mechanics

abstract:
  The notion of representative statistical ensembles, correctly representing
statistical systems, is strictly formulated. This notion allows for a proper
description of statistical systems, avoiding inconsistencies in theory. As an
illustration, a Bose-condensed system is considered. It is shown that a
self-consistent treatment of the latter, using a representative ensemble,
always yields a conserving and gapless theory.


title: Bouncing Universe with Quintom Matter

abstract:
  The bouncing universe provides a possible solution to the Big Bang
singularity problem. In this paper we study the bouncing solution in the
universe dominated by the Quintom matter with an equation of state (EoS)
crossing the cosmological constant boundary. We will show explicitly the
analytical and numerical bouncing solutions in three types of models for the
Quintom matter with an phenomenological EoS, the two scalar fields and a scalar
field with a modified Born-Infeld action.


title: On the weight structure of cyclic codes over $GF(q)$, $q>2$

abstract:
  The interrelation between the cyclic structure of an ideal, i.e., a cyclic
code over Galois field $GF(q)$, $q>2$, and its classes of proportional elements
is considered. This relation is used in order to define the code's weight
structure. The equidistance conditions of irreducible nonprimitive codes over
GF(q) are given. Besides that, the minimum distance for some class of
nonprimitive cyclic codes is found.


title: Simplifying additivity problems using direct sum constructions

abstract:
  We study the additivity problems for the classical capacity of quantum
channels, the minimal output entropy and its convex closure. We show for each
of them that additivity for arbitrary pairs of channels holds iff it holds for
arbitrary equal pairs, which in turn can be taken to be unital. In a similar
sense, weak additivity is shown to imply strong additivity for any convex
entanglement monotone. The implications are obtained by considering direct sums
of channels (or states) for which we show how to obtain several information
theoretic quantities from their values on the summands. This provides a simple
and general tool for lifting additivity results.


title:
Modulational instability in nonlocal Kerr-type media with random
  parameters

abstract:
  Modulational instability of continuous waves in nonlocal focusing and
defocusing Kerr media with stochastically varying diffraction (dispersion) and
nonlinearity coefficients is studied both analytically and numerically. It is
shown that nonlocality with the sign-definite Fourier images of the medium
response functions suppresses considerably the growth rate peak and bandwidth
of instability caused by stochasticity. Contrary, nonlocality can enhance
modulational instability growth for a response function with negative-sign
bands.


title:
SUBARU HDS Observations of a Balmer-Dominated Shock in Tycho's Supernova
  Remnant

abstract:
  We present an Ha spectral observation of a Balmer-dominated shock on the
eastern side of Tycho's supernova remnant using the Subaru Telescope. Utilizing
the High Dispersion Spectrograph (HDS), we measure the spatial variation of the
line profile between preshock and postshock gas. Our observation clearly shows
a broadening and centroid shift of the narrow-component postshock Ha line
relative to the Ha emission from the preshock gas. The observation supports the
existence of a thin precursor where gas is heated and accelerated ahead of the
shock. Furthermore, the spatial profile of the emission ahead of the Balmer
filament shows a gradual gradient in the Ha intensity and line width ahead of
the shock. We propose that this region (~10^16 cm) is likely to be the
spatially resolved precursor. The line width increases from ~30 up to ~45 km/s,
and its central velocity shows a redshift of ~5 km/s across the shock front.
The characteristics of the precursor are consistent with a cosmic-ray
precursor, although the possibility of a fast neutral precursor is not ruled
out.


title:
Orbits of tori extended by finite groups and their polynomial hulls: the
  case of connected complex orbits

abstract:
  Let $V$ be a complex linear space, $G\subset\GL(V)$ be a compact group. We
consider the problem of description of polynomial hulls $\wh{Gv}$ for orbits
$Gv$, $v\in V$, assuming that the identity component of $G$ is a torus $T$. The
paper contains a universal construction for orbits which satisfy the inclusion
$Gv\subset T^\bbC v$ and a characterization of pairs $(G,V)$ such that it is
true for a generic $v\in V$. The hull of a finite union of $T$-orbits in
$T^\bbC v$ can be distinguished in $\clos T^\bbC v$ by a finite collection of
inequalities of the type $\abs{z_1}^{s_1}...\abs{z_n}^{s_n}\leq c$. In
particular, this is true for $Gv$. If powers in the monomials are independent
of $v$, $Gv\subset T^\bbC v$ for a generic $v$, and either the center of $G$ is
finite or $T^\bbC$ has an open orbit, then the space $V$ and the group $G$ are
products of standard ones; the latter means that $G=S_nT$, where $S_n$ is the
group of all permutations of coordinates and $T$ is either $\bbT^n$ or
$\SU(n)\cap\bbT^n$, where $\bbT^n$ is the torus of all diagonal matrices in
$\rU(n)$. The paper also contains a description of polynomial hulls for orbits
of isotropy groups of bounded symmetric domains. This result is already known,
but we formulate it in a different form and supply with a shorter proof.


title:
Formation of a sonic horizon in isotropically expanding Bose-Einstein
  condensates

abstract:
  We propose a simple experiment to create a sonic horizon in isotropically
trapped cold atoms within currently available experimental techniques.
Numerical simulation of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation shows that the sonic
horizon should appear by making the condensate expand. The expansion is
triggered by changing the interaction which can be controlled by the Feshbach
resonance in real experiments. The sonic horizon is shown to be quasi-static
for sufficiently strong interaction or large number of atoms. The
characteristic temperature that is associated with particle emission from the
horizon, which corresponds to the Hawking temperature in an ideal situation, is
estimated to be a few nK.


title:
Zero-temperature resistive transition in Josephson-junction arrays at
  irrational frustration

abstract:
  We use a driven Monte Carlo dynamics in the phase representation to determine
the linear resistivity and current-voltage scaling of a two-dimensional
Josephson-junction array at an irrational flux quantum per plaquette. The
results are consistent with a phase-coherence transition scenario where the
critical temperature vanishes. The linear resistivity is nonzero at any finite
temperatures but nonlinear behavior sets in at a temperature-dependent
crossover current determined by the thermal critical exponent. From a dynamic
scaling analysis we determine this critical exponent and the thermally
activated behavior of the linear resistivity. The results are in agreement with
earlier calculations using the resistively shunted-junction model for the
dynamics of the array. The linear resistivity behavior is consistent with some
experimental results on arrays of superconducting grains but not on wire
networks, which we argue have been obtained in a current regime above the
crossover current.


title: Protostellar clusters in intermediate-mass (IM) star forming regions

abstract:
  The transition between the low density groups of T Tauri stars and the high
density clusters around massive stars occurs in the intermediate-mass (IM)
range (M$_*$$\sim$2--8 M$_\odot$). High spatial resolution studies of IM young
stellar objects (YSO) can provide important clues to understand the clustering
in massive star forming regions.
  Aims: Our aim is to search for clustering in IM Class 0 protostars. The high
spatial resolution and sensitivity provided by the new A configuration of the
Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI) allow us to study the clustering in these
nearby objects.
  Methods: We have imaged three IM Class 0 protostars (Serpens-FIRS 1, IC 1396
N, CB 3) in the continuum at 3.3 and 1.3mm using the PdBI. The sources have
been selected with different luminosity to investigate the dependence of the
clustering process on the luminosity of the source.
  Results: Only one millimeter (mm) source is detected towards the low
luminosity source Serpens--FIRS 1. Towards CB 3 and IC1396 N, we detect two
compact sources separated by $\sim$0.05 pc. The 1.3mm image of IC 1396 N, which
provides the highest spatial resolution, reveal that one of these cores is
splitted in, at least, three individual sources.


title: The Epps effect revisited

abstract:
  We analyse the dependence of stock return cross-correlations on the sampling
frequency of the data known as the Epps effect: For high resolution data the
cross-correlations are significantly smaller than their asymptotic value as
observed on daily data. The former description implies that changing trading
frequency should alter the characteristic time of the phenomenon. This is not
true for the empirical data: The Epps curves do not scale with market activity.
The latter result indicates that the time scale of the phenomenon is connected
to the reaction time of market participants (this we denote as human time
scale), independent of market activity. In this paper we give a new description
of the Epps effect through the decomposition of cross-correlations. After
testing our method on a model of generated random walk price changes we justify
our analytical results by fitting the Epps curves of real world data.


title: Transitive powers of Young-Jucys-Murphy elements are central

abstract:
  Although powers of the Young-Jucys-Murphya elements X_i = (1 i) + ... +(i-1
i), i = 1, ..., n, in the symmetric group S_n acting on {1, ...,n} do not lie
in the centre of the group algebra of S_n, we show that transitive powers,
namely the sum of the contributions from elements that act transitively on {1,
>...,n}, are central. We determine the coefficients, which we call star
factorization numbers, that occur in the resolution of transitive powers with
respect to the class basis of the centre of S_n, and show that they have a
polynomiality property. These centrality and polynomiality properties have
seemingly unrelated consequences. First, they answer a question raised by Pak
about reduced decompositions; second, they explain and extend the beautiful
symmetry result discovered by Irving and Rattan; and thirdly, we relate the
polynomiality to an existing polynomiality result for a class of double Hurwitz
numbers associated with branched covers of the sphere, which therefore suggests
that there may be an ELSV-type formula associated with the star factorization
numbers.


title: On the S_n-module structure of the noncommutative harmonics

abstract:
  Using a noncommutative analog of Chevalley's decomposition of polynomials
into symmetric polynomials times coinvariants due to Bergeron, Reutenauer,
Rosas, and Zabrocki we compute the graded Frobenius series for their two sets
of noncommutative harmonics with respect to the left action of the symmetric
group (acting on variables). We use these results to derive the Frobenius
series for the enveloping algebra of the derived free Lie algebra in n
variables.


title: Spectral analysis for convolution operators on locally compact groups

abstract:
  We consider operators $H_\mu$ of convolution with measures $\mu$ on locally
compact groups. We characterize the spectrum of $H_\mu$ by constructing
auxiliary operators whose kernel contain the pure point and singular subspaces
of $H_\mu$, respectively. The proofs rely on commutator methods.


title:
Spin Dynamics Of $qqq$ Wave Function On Light Front In High Momentum
  Limit Of QCD : Role Of $qqq$ Force

abstract:
  The contribution of a spin-rich $qqq$ force (in conjunction with pairwise
$qq$ forces) to the analytical structure of the $qqq$ wave function is worked
out in the high momentum regime of QCD where the confining interaction may be
ignored, so that the dominant effect is $Coulombic$. A distinctive feature of
this study is that the spin-rich $qqq$ force is generated by a $ggg$ vertex (a
genuine part of the QCD Lagrangian) wherein the 3 radiating gluon lines end on
as many quark lines, giving rise to a (Mercedes-Benz type) $Y$-shaped diagram.
The dynamics is that of a Salpeter-like equation (3D support for the kernel)
formulated covariantly on the light front, a la Markov-Yukawa Transversality
Principle (MYTP) which warrants a 2-way interconnection between the 3D and 4D
Bethe-Salpeter (BSE) forms for 2 as well as 3 fermion quarks. With these
ingredients, the differential equation for the 3D wave function $\phi$ receives
well-defined contributions from the $qq$ and $qqq$ forces. In particular a
$negative$ eigenvalue of the spin operator $i \sigma_1.\sigma_2\times \sigma_3$
which is an integral part of the $qqq$ force, causes a characteristic
singularity in the differential equation, signalling the dynamical effect of a
spin-rich $qqq$ force not yet considered in the literature. The potentially
crucial role of this interesting effect vis-a-vis the so-called `spin anomaly'
of the proton, is a subject of considerable physical interest.


title:
On the induction of the four-dimensional Lorentz-breaking non-Abelian
  Chern-Simons action

abstract:
  A four-dimensional Lorentz-breaking non-Abelian Chern-Simons like action is
generated as a one-loop perturbative correction via an appropriate
Lorentz-breaking coupling of the non-Abelian gauge field to the spinor field.
This term is shown to be regularization dependent but nevertheless it can be
found unambiguously in different regularization schemes at zero and finite
temperature.


title: Neutrino Astronomy with High Spatial Resolution is Already Existing

abstract:
  By basing on observations of skeletal structures of the Sun and assuming that
some of them are located inside of star, and also that a filamentary (linear)
matter (whose a model earlier was put forward by B.U. Rodionov) is in basis of
these internal structures the author consider possible processes of images
formation of these structures inside the Sun and theirs coming out into space
and also gives an elementary estimations of its parameters, which allow: i) to
form their images in a flux of electronic neutrinos; ii) to carry out these
images from within of the Sun into space; iii) to develop these images in form
of a concomitant flux of soft x-ray, which next is recorded by telescope of
soft x-ray. It is supposed the processes considered here, actually, can be
accepted as future base of neutrino astronomy with high spatial resolution.


title: Analysis of $\Omega_c^*(css)$ and $\Omega_b^*(bss)$ with QCD sum rules

abstract:
  In this article, we calculate the masses and residues of the heavy baryons
$\Omega_c^*(css)$ and $\Omega_b^*(bss)$ with spin-parity ${3/2}^+$ with the QCD
sum rules. The numerical values are compatible with experimental data and other
theoretical estimations.


title: The dependence of the estimated luminosities of ULX on spectral models

abstract:
  Data from {\it Chandra} observations of thirty nearby galaxies were analyzed
and 365 X-ray point sources were chosen whose spectra were not contaminated by
excessive diffuse emission and not affected by photon pile up. The spectra of
these sources were fitted using two spectral models (an absorbed power-law and
a disk blackbody) to ascertain the dependence of estimated parameters on the
spectral model used. It was found that the cumulative luminosity function
depends on the choice of the spectral model, especially for luminosities $>
10^{40}$ ergs/s. In accordance with previous results, a large number ($\sim
80$) of the sources have luminosities $> 10^{39}$ ergs/s (Ultra-Luminous X-ray
sources) with indistinguishable average spectral parameters (inner disk
temperature $\sim 1$ keV and/or photon index $\Gamma \sim 2$) with those of the
lower luminosities ones. After considering foreground stars and known
background AGN,we identify four sources whose minimum luminosity exceed
$10^{40}$ ergs/s, and call them Extremely Luminous X-ray sources (ELX). The
spectra of these sources are in general better represented by the disk black
body model than the power-law one. These ELX can be grouped into two distinct
spectral classes. Two of them have an inner disk temperature of $< 0.5$ keV and
hence are called ``supersoft'' ELX, while the other two have temperatures
$\gtrsim 1.3$ keV and are called ``hard'' ELX. The estimated inner disk
temperatures of the supersoft ELX are compatible with the hypothesis that they
harbor intermediate size black holes, which are accreting at $\sim 0.5$ times
their Eddington Luminosity. The radiative mechanism for hard ELX, seems to be
Inverse Comptonization, which in contrast to standard black holes systems, is
probably saturated.


title:
Evidence for Symplectic Symmetry in Ab Initio No-Core Shell Model
  Results for Light Nuclei

abstract:
  Clear evidence for symplectic symmetry in low-lying states of $^{12}$C and
$^{16}$O is reported. Eigenstates of $^{12}$C and $^{16}$O, determined within
the framework of the no-core shell model using the JISP16 $NN$ realistic
interaction, typically project at the 85-90% level onto a few of the most
deformed symplectic basis states that span only a small fraction of the full
model space. The results are nearly independent of whether the bare or
renormalized effective interactions are used in the analysis. The outcome
confirms Elliott's \SU{3} model which underpins the symplectic scheme, and
above all, points to the relevance of a symplectic no-core shell model that can
reproduce experimental B(E2) values without effective charges as well as
deformed spatial modes associated with clustering phenomena in nuclei.


title: Spinning Strings, Black Holes and Stable Closed Timelike Geodesics

abstract:
  The existence and stability under linear perturbation of closed timelike
curves in the spacetime associated to Schwarzschild black hole pierced by a
spinning string are studied. Due to the superposition of the black hole, we
find that the spinning string spacetime is deformed in such a way to allow the
existence of closed timelike geodesics.


title: On spherically symmetrical accretion in fractal media

abstract:
  We use fractional integrals to generalize the description of hydrodynamic
accretion in fractal media. The fractional continuous medium model allows the
generalization of the equations of balance of mass density and momentum
density. These make it possible to consider the general case of spherical
hydrodynamic accretion onto a gravitating mass embedded in a fractal medium.
The general nature of the solution is similar to the "Bondi solution", but the
accretion rate may vary substantially and the dependence on central mass may
change significantly depending on dimensionality of the fractal medium. The
theory shows consistency with the observational data and numerical simulation
results for the particular case of accretion onto pre-main-sequence stars.


title: QCD in One Dimension at Nonzero Chemical Potential

abstract:
  Using an integration formula recently derived by Conrey, Farmer and
Zirnbauer, we calculate the expectation value of the phase factor of the
fermion determinant for the staggered lattice QCD action in one dimension. We
show that the chemical potential can be absorbed into the quark masses; the
theory is in the same chiral symmetry class as QCD in three dimensions at zero
chemical potential. In the limit of a large number of colors and fixed number
of lattice points, chiral symmetry is broken spontaneously, and our results are
in agreement with expressions based on a chiral Lagrangian. In this limit, the
eigenvalues of the Dirac operator are correlated according to random matrix
theory for QCD in three dimensions. The discontinuity of the chiral condensate
is due to an alternative to the Banks-Casher formula recently discovered for
QCD in four dimensions at nonzero chemical potential. The effect of temperature
on the average phase factor is discussed in a schematic random matrix model.


title:
Can GLAST detect gamma-rays from the extended radio features of radio
  galaxies?

abstract:
  A few FRI radio galaxies were detected at GeV gamma-rays with CGRO EGRET,
with peroperties suggesting that the gamma-ray flux originates from the core.
Here we discuss the possibility that the extended radio features of radio
galaxies could be detected with the LAT, focusing on the particularly promising
case of the nearby giant radio galaxy Fornax A.


title:
The VLT-FLAMES survey of massive stars: Wind properties and evolution of
  hot massive stars in the LMC

abstract:
  [Abridged] We have studied the optical spectra of 28 O- and early B-type
stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud, 22 of which are associated with the young
star-forming region N11. Stellar parameters are determined using an automated
fitting method, combining the stellar atmosphere code FASTWIND with the
genetic-algorithm optimisation routine PIKAIA. Results for stars in the LH9 and
LH10 associations of N11 are consistent with a sequential star formation
scenario, in which activity in LH9 triggered the formation of LH10. Our sample
contains four stars of spectral type O2, of which the hottest is found to be
~49-54 kK (cf. ~45-46 kK for O3 stars). The masses of helium-enriched dwarfs
and giants are systematically lower than those implied by non-rotating
evolutionary tracks. We interpret this as evidence for efficient
rotationally-enhanced mixing, leading to the surfacing of primary helium and to
an increase of the stellar luminosity. This result is consistent with findings
for SMC stars by Mokiem et al. For bright giants and supergiants no such
mass-discrepancy is found, implying that these stars follow tracks of modestly
(or non-)rotating objects. Stellar mass-loss properties were found to be
intermediate to those found in massive stars in the Galaxy and the SMC, and
comparisons with theoretical predictions at LMC metallicity yielded good
agreement over the luminosity range of our targets, i.e. 5.0 < log L/L(sun) <
6.1.


title: Identification of Absorption Features in an Extrasolar Planet Atmosphere

abstract:
  Water absorption is identified in the atmosphere of HD209458b by comparing
models for the planet's transmitted spectrum to recent, multi-wavelength,
eclipse-depth measurements (from 0.3 to 1 microns) published by Knutson et al.
(2007). A cloud-free model which includes solar abundances, rainout of
condensates, and photoionization of sodium and potassium is in good agreement
with the entire set of eclipse-depth measurements from the ultraviolet to
near-infrared. Constraints are placed on condensate removal by gravitational
settling, the bulk metallicity, and the redistribution of absorbed stellar
flux. Comparisons are also made to the Charbonneau et al. (2002) sodium
measurements.


title: Strange Nucleon Form Factors from $ep$ and $\nu p$ Elastic Scattering

abstract:
  The recent parity-violating $ep$ forward-scattering elastic asymmetry data
from Jefferson Lab (HAPPEx and G0), when combined with the $\nu p$ elastic
cross section data from Brookhaven (E734), permit an extraction of the
strangeness contribution to the vector and axial nucleon form factors for
momentum transfers in the range $0.45 < Q^2 < 1.0$ GeV$^2$. These results,
combined with the recent determination of the strange vector form factors at
$Q^2 = 0.1$ GeV$^2$ (SAMPLE, HAPPEx, PVA4, G0) have been interpreted in terms
of $uuds\bar{s}$ configurations very different from the kaon-loop
configurations usually associated with strangeness in the nucleon. New
experiments are being proposed to improve the state of our knowledge of the
$\nu p$ elastic cross section -- these new experiments will push the range of
$Q^2$ to much lower values, and greatly increase the precision of the $\nu p$
elastic data. One outcome of this can be a measurement of the strangeness
contribution to the nucleon spin, $\Delta s$. Nuclear targets (e.g. C or Ar)
are to be used in these neutrino experiments, and so a deep understanding of
the nuclear physics, particularly in regard to final state effects, is needed
before the potential of these precision experiments can be fully realized.


title:
VIMOS-VLT spectroscopy of the giant Ly-alpha nebulae associated with
  three z~2.5 radio galaxies

abstract:
  The morphological and spectroscopic properties of the giant (>60 kpc)
Ly-alpha nebulae associated with three radio galaxies at z~2.5 (MRC 1558-003,
MRC 2025-218 and MRC 0140-257) have been investigated using integral field
spectroscopic data obtained with VIMOS on VLT.
  The morphologies are varied. The nebula of one source has a centrally peaked,
rounded appearance. In the other two objects, it consists of two spatial
components. The three nebulae are aligned with the radio axis within <30 deg.
The total Ly-alpha luminosities are in the range (0.3-3.4) x 1e44 erg s-1. The
Ly-alpha spectral profile shows strong variation through the nebulae, with FWHM
values in the range ~400-1500 km s-1 and velocity shifts V~120-600 km s-1.
  We present an infall model which can explain successfully most Ly-alpha
morphological and spectroscopic properties of the nebula associated with MRC
1558-003. This adds further support to our previous conclusion that the
_quiescent_ giant nebulae associated with this and other high redshift powerful
radio galaxies are in infall. A problem for this model is the difficulty to
reproduce the large Ly-alpha FWHM values.
  We have discovered a giant (~85 kpc) Ly-alpha nebula associated with the
radio galaxy MRC 0140-257 at z=2.64. It shows strikingly relaxed kinematics
(FWHM< 300 km s-1 and V<120 km s-1), unique among high z (>2) radio galaxies.


title:
Condensation of Vortex-Strings: Effective Potential Contribution Through
  Dual Actions

abstract:
  Topological excitations are believed to play an important role in different
areas of physics. For example, one case of topical interest is the use of dual
models of quantum cromodynamics to understand properties of its vacuum and
confinement through the condensation of magnetic monopoles and vortices. Other
applications are related to the role of these topological excitations,
nonhomogeneous solutions of the field equations, in phase transitions
associated to spontaneous symmetry breaking in gauge theories, whose study is
of importance in phase transitions in the early universe, for instance. Here we
show a derivation of a model dual to the scalar Abelian Higgs model where its
topological excitations, namely vortex-strings, become manifest and can be
treated in a quantum field theory way. The derivation of the nontrivial
contribution of these vacuum excitations to phase transitions and its analogy
with superconductivity is then made possible and they are studied here.


title:
Observation of Anti-correlation between Scintillation and Ionization for
  MeV Gamma-Rays in Liquid Xenon

abstract:
  A strong anti-correlation between ionization and scintillation signals
produced by MeV gamma-rays in liquid xenon has been measured and used to
improve the energy resolution by combining the two signals. The improvement is
explained by reduced electron-ion recombination fluctuations of the combined
signal compared to fluctuations of the individual signals. Simultaneous
measurements of ionization and scintillation signals were carried out with
Cs-137, Na-22 and Co-60 gamma rays, as a function of electric field in the
liquid. A resolution of 1.7%(sigma) at 662 keV was measured at 1 kV/cm,
significantly better than the resolution from either scintillation or
ionization alone. A detailed analysis indicates that further improvement to
less than 1%(sigma) is possible with higher light collection efficiency and
lower electronic noise.


title: Massive Stars: From the VLT to the ELT

abstract:
  New facilities and technologies have advanced our understanding of massive
stars significantly over the past 30 years. Here I introduce a new large survey
of massive stars using VLT-FLAMES, noting the target fields and observed binary
fractions. These data have been used for the first empirical test of the
metallicity dependence of the intensity of stellar winds, finding good
agreement with theory -- an important result for the evolutionary models that
are used to interpret distant clusters, starbursts, and star-forming galaxies.
Looking ahead, plans for future Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs) are now
undergoing significant development, and offer the exciting prospect of
observing spatially-resolved massive stars well beyond the Local Group.