title: Composite quantile regression and the oracle Model Selection Theory

abstract:
  Coefficient estimation and variable selection in multiple linear regression
is routinely done in the (penalized) least squares (LS) framework. The concept
of model selection oracle introduced by Fan and Li [J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 96
(2001) 1348--1360] characterizes the optimal behavior of a model selection
procedure. However, the least-squares oracle theory breaks down if the error
variance is infinite. In the current paper we propose a new regression method
called composite quantile regression (CQR). We show that the oracle model
selection theory using the CQR oracle works beautifully even when the error
variance is infinite. We develop a new oracular procedure to achieve the
optimal properties of the CQR oracle. When the error variance is finite, CQR
still enjoys great advantages in terms of estimation efficiency. We show that
the relative efficiency of CQR compared to the least squares is greater than
70% regardless the error distribution. Moreover, CQR could be much more
efficient and sometimes arbitrarily more efficient than the least squares. The
same conclusions hold when comparing a CQR-oracular estimator with a
LS-oracular estimator.


title: A critical note on one-eighth law in 2D turbulence

abstract:
  We critically revisit the various attempts to prove one eighth law in 2D
turbulence and reconcile them. Herein, the one-eight law has been proved for
unforced 2D incompressible high Reynolds number turbulence. An exact expression
of the time derivative of two-point second order velocity correlation function
is also derived for the enstrophy cascade dominated regime.


title:
UV-photon and electrically driven resistance switching in ZnO nanotube
  arrays

abstract:
  Vertically aligned ZnO nanotube arrays fabricated on an ITO substrate are
found to exhibit strong persistent photoconductivity (PPC) effect and
electrically driven conductance switching behavior, though the latter shows a
gradual decay from high conductance state to a low conductance state. Unlike
the electrical switching, the PPC cannot be reset or reversed by an electrical
pulse. Excitation wavelength dependent conductance measurement indicates the
presence of the defect localized states (DLS) ~ 240meV above the valence band
edge, in support of the hypothesis that the doubly ionization of these DLS are
responsible for the PPC effect.


title:
Lower order terms for the one-level densities of symmetric power
  $L$-functions in the level aspect

abstract:
  In a previous paper, the authors determined, among other things, the main
terms for the one-level densities for low-lying zeros of symmetric power
L-functions in the level aspect. In this paper, the lower order terms of these
one-level densities are found. The combinatorial difficulties, which should
arise in such context, are drastically reduced thanks to Chebyshev polynomials,
which are the characters of the irreducible representations of SU(2). %


title:
Adaptive estimation of and oracle inequalities for probability densities
  and characteristic functions

abstract:
  The theory of adaptive estimation and oracle inequalities for the case of
Gaussian-shift--finite-interval experiments has made significant progress in
recent years. In particular, sharp-minimax adaptive estimators and exact
exponential-type oracle inequalities have been suggested for a vast set of
functions including analytic and Sobolev with any positive index as well as for
Efromovich--Pinsker and Stein blockwise-shrinkage estimators. Is it possible to
obtain similar results for a more interesting applied problem of density
estimation and/or the dual problem of characteristic function estimation? The
answer is ``yes.'' In particular, the obtained results include exact
exponential-type oracle inequalities which allow to consider, for the first
time in the literature, a simultaneous sharp-minimax estimation of Sobolev
densities with any positive index (not necessarily larger than 1/2), infinitely
differentiable densities (including analytic, entire and stable), as well as of
not absolutely integrable characteristic functions. The same adaptive estimator
is also rate minimax over a familiar class of distributions with bounded
spectrum where the density and the characteristic function can be estimated
with the parametric rate.


title: The Mid-Infrared Narrow Line Baldwin Effect Revealed by Spitzer

abstract:
  We present our discovery of a narrow-line Baldwin effect, an anti-correlation
between the equivalent width (EW) of a line and the flux of the associated
continuum, in 5-20$\mu$m mid-infared lines from a sample of 68 Active Galactic
Nuclei (AGN), located at z$<$0.5, observed with the Infrared Spectrograph on
the {\it Spitzer Space Telescope}. Our analysis reveals a clear
anti-correlation between the EW of the [SIV] 10.51$\mu$m, [NeII] 12.81$\mu$m,
and [NeIII] 15.56$\mu$m lines and their mid-IR continuum luminosities, while
the Baldwin effect for [NeV] 14.32$\mu$m is not as obvious. We suggest that
this anti-correlation is driven by the central AGN and not circumnuclear star
formation in the host galaxy. We also find that the slope of the narrow-line
Baldwin effect in the mid-infrared does not appear to steepen with increasing
ionization potential. Examining the dependence of the EW to the Eddington Ratio
($L/L_{Edd}$) we find no strong relationship for mid-IR lines. Our study
indicates that the narrow-line mid-infrared Baldwin Effect is quite different
from the broad-line optical/UV Baldwin effect and it is possible that the two
effects are unrelated. The discovered anti-correlations open new possibilities
in the understanding the physics of the ionizing region and the continuum
reprocessing by dust.


title:
Pre-launch estimates for GLAST sensitivity to Dark Matter annihilation
  signals

abstract:
  We investigate the sensitivity of the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope
(GLAST) to indirectly detect weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs)
through the $\gamma$-ray signal that their pair annihilation produces. WIMPs
are among the favorite candidates to explain the compelling evidence that about
80% of the mass in the Universe is non-baryonic dark matter (DM). They are
serendipitously motivated by various extensions of the standard model of
particle physics such as Supersymmetry and Universal Extra Dimensions (UED).
With its unprecedented sensitivity and its very large energy range (20 MeV to
more than 300 GeV) the main instrument on board the GLAST satellite, the Large
Area Telescope (LAT), will open a new window of discovery. As our estimates
show, the LAT will be able to detect an indirect DM signature for a large class
of WIMP models given a cuspy profile for the DM distribution. Using the current
state of the art Monte Carlo and event reconstruction software developed within
the LAT collaboration, we present preliminary sensitivity studies for several
possible sources inside and outside the Galaxy. We also discuss the potential
of the LAT to detect UED via the electron/positron channel. Diffuse background
modeling and other background issues that will be important in setting limits
or seeing a signal are presented.


title: Vari\'et\'es rationnellement connexes sur un corps alg\'ebriquement clos

abstract:
  These are lectures notes on rationally connected varieties, written for the
"Etats de la Recherche" of the French Mathematical Society held in Strasbourg
(May 2008). We focus on geometric aspects. These notes have been written in
order that a wide audience can easily read them, except maybe the last section,
a bit more technical, where we give the proof of Shokurov rational
connectedness conjecture following Hacon and McKernan.
  -----
  Ce sont les notes d'un mini-cours sur les vari\'et\'es rationnellement
connexes, \'ecrit pour les Etats de la Recherche de la Soci\'et\'e
Math\'ematique de France (Strasbourg, 2008). On met l'accent sur les aspects
g\'eom\'etriques. Ce cours est r\'edig\'e dans l'espoir de s'adresser \`a un
public large, \`a l'exception peut-\^etre du \S 7, o\`u nous donnons les
grandes lignes de la preuve de la conjecture de connexit\'e rationnelle de
Shokurov par Hacon et McKernan, plus technique et o\`u les pr\'erequis sont un
peu plus importants.


title: Surface-induced heating of cold polar molecules

abstract:
  We study the rotational and vibrational heating of diatomic molecules placed
near a surface at finite temperature on the basis of macroscopic quantum
electrodynamics. The internal molecular evolution is governed by transition
rates that depend on both temperature and position. Analytical and numerical
methods are used to investigate the heating of several relevant molecules near
various surfaces. We determine the critical distances at which the surface
itself becomes the dominant source of heating and we investigate the transition
between the long-range and short-range behaviour of the heating rates. A simple
formula is presented that can be used to estimate the surface-induced heating
rates of other molecules of interest. We also consider how the heating depends
on the thickness and composition of the surface.


title: Admissible predictive density estimation

abstract:
  Let $X|\mu\sim N_p(\mu,v_xI)$ and $Y|\mu\sim N_p(\mu,v_yI)$ be independent
$p$-dimensional multivariate normal vectors with common unknown mean $\mu$.
Based on observing $X=x$, we consider the problem of estimating the true
predictive density $p(y|\mu)$ of $Y$ under expected Kullback--Leibler loss. Our
focus here is the characterization of admissible procedures for this problem.
We show that the class of all generalized Bayes rules is a complete class, and
that the easily interpretable conditions of Brown and Hwang [Statistical
Decision Theory and Related Topics (1982) III 205--230] are sufficient for a
formal Bayes rule to be admissible.


title: Solid liquid phase changes with different densities

abstract:
  In this paper we present a new thermodynamically consistent phase transition
model describing the evolution of a liquid substance, e.g., water, in a rigid
container $\Omega$ when we freeze the container. Since the density
$\varrho_{2}$ of ice with volume fraction $\beta_{2}$, is lower than the
density $\varrho_{1}$ of water with volume fraction $\beta_{1}$, experiments -
for instance the freezing of a glass bottle filled with water - show that the
water pressure increases up to the rupture of the bottle. When the container is
not impermeable, freezing may produce a non-homogeneous material, for instance
water ice or sorbet. Here we describe a general class of phase transition
processes including this example as particular case. Moreover, we study the
resulting nonlinear and singular PDE system from the analytical viewpoint
recovering existence of a global (in time) weak solution and also uniqueness
for some particular choices of the nonlinear functions involved.

categories: math.AP cond-mat.stat-mech math-ph math.CA math.MP


title: $L^2-$interpolation with error and size of spectra

abstract:
  Given a compact set $S$ and a uniformly discrete sequence $\La$, we show that
"approximate interpolation" of delta--functions on $\La$ by a bounded sequence
of $L^2-$functions with spectra in $S$ implies an estimate on measure of $S$
through the density of $\La$.


title: Kostant's problem and parabolic subgroups

abstract:
  Let $\frak g$ be a finite dimensional complex semi-simple Lie algebra with
Weyl group $W$ and simple reflections $S$. For $I\subseteq S$ let $\frak g_I$
be the corresponding semi-simple subalgebra of $\frak g$. Denote by $W_I$ the
Weyl group of $\frak g_I$ and let $w_o$ and $w^I_o$ be the longest elements of
$W$ and $W_I$, respectively. In this paper we show that the answer to Kostant's
problem, i.e. whether the universal enveloping algebra surjects onto the space
of all ad-finite linear transformations of a given module, is the same for the
simple highest weight $\frak g_I$-module $L_I(x)$ of highest weight $x\cdot 0$,
$x\in W_I$, as the answer for the simple highest weight $\frak g$-module $L(x
w^I_o w_o)$ of highest weight $(x w^I_o w_o)\cdot 0$. We also give a new
description of the unique quasi-simple quotient of the Verma module $\Delta(e)$
with the same annihilator as $L(y)$, $y\in W$.


title: The Glass Transition and the Jarzynski Equality

abstract:
  A simple model featuring a double well potential is used to represent a
liquid that is quenched from an ergodic state into a history dependent glassy
state. Issues surrounding the application of the Jarzynski Equality to glass
formation are investigated. We demonstrate that the Jarzynski Equality gives
the free energy difference between the initial state and the state we would
obtain if the glass relaxed to true thermodynamic equilibrium. We derive new
variations of the Jarzynski Equality which are relevant to the history
dependent glassy state rather than the underlying equilibrium state. It is
shown how to compute the free energy differences for the nonequilibrium history
dependent glassy state such that it remains consistent with the standard
expression for the entropy and with the second law inequality.


title: Single eta production in heavy quarkonia transitions

abstract:
  The $\eta$ production in the $(n,n')$ bottomonium transitions $\Upsilon (n)
\to \Upsilon (n') \eta, $ is studied in the method used before for dipion heavy
quarkonia transitions. The widths $\Gamma_\eta(n,n')$ are calculated without
fitting parameters for $n=2,3,4,5, n'=1$.Resulting $\Gamma_\eta(4,1)$ is found
to be large in agreement with recent data.


title:
Suzaku measurement of Abell 2204's intracluster gas temperature profile
  out to 1800 kpc

abstract:
  Context: Measurements of intracluster gas temperatures out to large radii are
important for the use of clusters for precision cosmology and for studies of
cluster physics. Previous attempts to measure robust temperatures at cluster
virial radii failed. Aims: The goal of this work is to measure the temperature
profile of the very relaxed galaxy cluster Abell 2204 out to large radii,
possibly reaching the virial radius. Methods: Taking advantage of its low
particle background due to its low-Earth orbit, Suzaku data are used to measure
the outer temperature profile of Abell 2204. These data are combined with
Chandra and XMM-Newton data of the same cluster in order to make the connection
to the inner regions, unresolved by Suzaku, and to determine the smearing due
to Suzaku's PSF. Results: The temperature profile of Abell 2204 is determined
from 10 kpc to 1800 kpc, close to an estimate of r200 (the approximation to the
virial radius). The temperature rises steeply from below 4 keV in the very
center up to more than 8 keV in the intermediate range and then decreases again
to about 4 keV at the largest radii. Varying the measured particle background
normalization artificially by +-10 percent does not change the results
significantly. Predictions for outer temperature profiles based on hydrodynamic
simulations show good agreement. In particular, we find the observed
temperature profile to be slightly steeper but consistent with a drop of a
factor of 0.6 from 0.3 r200 to r200, as predicted by simulations. Conclusions:
Temperature measurements up to the virial radius seem feasible with Suzaku,
when a careful analysis of the different background components and the effects
of the PSF is performed. The result obtained here indicates that numerical
simulations capture the intracluster gas physics well in cluster outskirts.


title: Wave equation and multiplier estimates on Damek-Ricci spaces

abstract:
  Let S be a Damek-Ricci space and L be a distinguished left invariant
Laplacian on S. We prove pointwise estimates for the convolution kernels of
spectrally localized wave operators associated with L. This generalizes
previous results proved by D. Mueller and C. Thiele on ax+b-groups. We also
prove pointwise estimates of the gradient of these convolution kernels. As a
corollary we reprove basic multiplier estimates from previous papers of W.
Hebisch and T. Steger and M. Vallarino by different methods. Finally we derive
Sobolev estimates for the solution to the wave equation associated with L.


title:
A Point is Normal for Almost All Maps $\beta x + \alpha \mod 1$ or
  Generalized $\beta$-Maps

abstract:
  We consider the map $T_{\alpha,\beta}(x):= \beta x + \alpha \mod 1$, which
admits a unique probability measure of maximal entropy $\mu_{\alpha,\beta}$.
For $x \in [0,1]$, we show that the orbit of $x$ is $\mu_{\alpha,\beta}$-normal
for almost all $(\alpha,\beta)\in[0,1)\times(1,\infty)$ (Lebesgue measure).
Nevertheless we construct analytic curves in $[0,1)\times(1,\infty)$ along them
the orbit of $x=0$ is at most at one point $\mu_{\alpha,\beta}$-normal. These
curves are disjoint and they fill the set $[0,1)\times(1,\infty)$. We also
study the generalized $\beta$-maps (in particular the tent map). We show that
the critical orbit $x=1$ is normal with respect to the measure of maximal
entropy for almost all $\beta$.


title:
Strategy Iteration using Non-Deterministic Strategies for Solving Parity
  Games

abstract:
  This article extends the idea of solving parity games by strategy iteration
to non-deterministic strategies: In a non-deterministic strategy a player
restricts himself to some non-empty subset of possible actions at a given node,
instead of limiting himself to exactly one action. We show that a
strategy-improvement algorithm by by Bjoerklund, Sandberg, and Vorobyov can
easily be adapted to the more general setting of non-deterministic strategies.
Further, we show that applying the heuristic of "all profitable switches" leads
to choosing a "locally optimal" successor strategy in the setting of
non-deterministic strategies, thereby obtaining an easy proof of an algorithm
by Schewe. In contrast to the algorithm by Bjoerklund et al., we present our
algorithm directly for parity games which allows us to compare it to the
algorithm by Jurdzinski and Voege: We show that the valuations used in both
algorithm coincide on parity game arenas in which one player can "surrender".
Thus, our algorithm can also be seen as a generalization of the one by
Jurdzinski and Voege to non-deterministic strategies. Finally, using
non-deterministic strategies allows us to show that the number of improvement
steps is bound from above by O(1.724^n). For strategy-improvement algorithms,
this bound was previously only known to be attainable by using randomization.


title: On the Optimization of the IEEE 802.11 DCF: A Cross-Layer Perspective

abstract:
  This paper is focused on the problem of optimizing the aggregate throughput
of the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) employing the basic access
mechanism at the data link layer of IEEE 802.11 protocols. In order to broaden
the applicability of the proposed analysis, we consider general operating
conditions accounting for both non-saturated and saturated traffic in the
presence of transmission channel errors, as exemplified by the packet error
rate $P_e$.
  The main clue of this work stems from the relation that links the aggregate
throughput of the network to the packet rate $\lambda$ of the contending
stations. In particular, we show that the aggregate throughput $S(\lambda)$
presents two clearly distinct operating regions that depend on the actual value
of the packet rate $\lambda$ with respect to a critical value $\lambda_c$,
theoretically derived in this work.
  The behavior of $S(\lambda)$ paves the way to a cross-layer optimization
algorithm, which proved to be effective for maximizing the aggregate throughput
in a variety of network operating conditions. A nice consequence of the
proposed optimization framework relies on the fact that the aggregate
throughput can be predicted quite accurately with a simple, yet effective,
closed-form expression, which is also derived in the article.
  Finally, theoretical and simulation results are presented throughout the work
in order to unveil, as well as verify, the key ideas.


title: Neural networks in 3D medical scan visualization

abstract:
  For medical volume visualization, one of the most important tasks is to
reveal clinically relevant details from the 3D scan (CT, MRI ...), e.g. the
coronary arteries, without obscuring them with less significant parts. These
volume datasets contain different materials which are difficult to extract and
visualize with 1D transfer functions based solely on the attenuation
coefficient. Multi-dimensional transfer functions allow a much more precise
classification of data which makes it easier to separate different surfaces
from each other. Unfortunately, setting up multi-dimensional transfer functions
can become a fairly complex task, generally accomplished by trial and error.
This paper explains neural networks, and then presents an efficient way to
speed up visualization process by semi-automatic transfer function generation.
We describe how to use neural networks to detect distinctive features shown in
the 2D histogram of the volume data and how to use this information for data
classification.


title: A Note on Dominant Contractions of Jordan Algebras

abstract:
  In the paper we consider two positive contractions
$T,S:L^{1}(A,\tau)\longrightarrow L^{1}(A,\tau)$ such that $T\leq S$, here
$(A,\t)$ is a semi-finite $JBW$-algebra. If there is an $n_{0}\in\mathbb{N}$
such that $\|S^{n_{0}}-T^{n_{0}}\|<1$. Then we prove that $\|S^{n}-T^{n}\|<1$
holds for every $n\geq n_{0}.$


title:
Comment on "Casimir Force Acting on Magnetostatic Bodies Embedded in
  Media"

abstract:
  In a recent paper [C. Raabe and D.-G. Welsch, Phys. Rev. A 71, 013814 (2005)]
an electromagnetic energy-momentum tensor is suggested as an alternative to the
Abraham-Minkowski tensor and is applied to calculations of Casimir forces in
planar geometries. We argue that the universality of the suggested tensor is
doubtful; application of the Raabe-Welsch theory to a simple example in
classical electrodynamics shows that their proposed tensor is unable to
describe the situation in a simple way. We also show that modified Casimir
forces acting on the cavity medium as prescribed by these authors suffer from
problems of definiteness and peculiar properties which call for experimental
support before this theory can be regarded as acceptable.


title: Quantum spaces associated to multipermutation solutions of level two

abstract:
  We study finite set-theoretic solutions $(X,r)$ of the Yang-Baxter equation
of square-free multipermutation type. We show that each such solution over $\C$
with multipermutation level two can be put in diagonal form with the associated
Yang-Baxter algebra $\Acal(\C,X,r)$ having a $q$-commutation form of relations
determined by complex phase factors. These complex factors are roots of unity
and all roots of a prescribed form appear as determined by the representation
theory of finite abelian group $\Gcal$ of left actions on $X$. We study the
structure of $\Acal(\C,X,r)$ and show that they have a $\bullet$-product form
`quantizing' the commutative algebra of polynomials in $|X|$ variables. We
obtain the $\bullet$-product both as a Drinfeld cotwist for a certain canonical
2-cocycle and as a braided-opposite product for a certain crossed
$\Gcal$-module (over any field $k$). We provide first steps in the
noncommutative differential geometry of $\Acal(k,X,r)$ arising from these
results. As a byproduct of our work we find that every such level 2 solution
$(X,r)$ factorises as $r=f\circ\tau\circ f^{-1}$ where $\tau$ is the flip map
and $(X,f)$ is another solution coming from $X$ as a crossed $\Gcal$-set.


title: Influence of sedimentary layering on tsunami generation

abstract:
  The present article is devoted to the influence of sediment layers on the
process of tsunami generation. The main scope here is to demonstrate and
especially quantify the effect of sedimentation on vertical displacements of
the seabed due to an underwater earthquake. The fault is modelled as a
Volterra-type dislocation in an elastic half-space. The elastodynamics
equations are integrated with a finite element method. A comparison between two
cases is performed. The first one corresponds to the classical situation of an
elastic homogeneous and isotropic half-space, which is traditionally used for
the generation of tsunamis. The second test case takes into account the
presence of a sediment layer separating the oceanic column from the hard rock.
Some important differences are revealed. We conjecture that deformations in the
generation region may be amplified by sedimentary deposits, at least for some
parameter values. The mechanism of amplification is studied through careful
numerical simulations.

categories: physics.geo-ph math.NA physics.ao-ph physics.class-ph physics.comp-ph


title: Bianchi III and V Einstein metrics

abstract:
  We present diagonal Einstein metrics for Bianchi III and V, both for
minkowskian and euclidean signatures and we show that the Einstein Bianchi III
metrics have an integrable geodesic flow.


title:
Parametric bootstrap approximation to the distribution of EBLUP and
  related prediction intervals in linear mixed models

abstract:
  Empirical best linear unbiased prediction (EBLUP) method uses a linear mixed
model in combining information from different sources of information. This
method is particularly useful in small area problems. The variability of an
EBLUP is traditionally measured by the mean squared prediction error (MSPE),
and interval estimates are generally constructed using estimates of the MSPE.
Such methods have shortcomings like under-coverage or over-coverage, excessive
length and lack of interpretability. We propose a parametric bootstrap approach
to estimate the entire distribution of a suitably centered and scaled EBLUP.
The bootstrap histogram is highly accurate, and differs from the true EBLUP
distribution by only $O(d^3n^{-3/2})$, where $d$ is the number of parameters
and $n$ the number of observations. This result is used to obtain highly
accurate prediction intervals. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority
of this method over existing techniques of constructing prediction intervals in
linear mixed models.


title: Propagation of solitons in thermal media with periodic nonlinearity

abstract:
  We address the existence and properties of solitons in layered thermal media
made of alternating focusing and defocusing layers. Such structures support
robust bright solitons even if the averaged nonlinearity is defocusing. We show
that non-oscillating solitons may form in any of the focusing domains, even in
those located close to the sample edge, in contrast to uniform thermal media
where light beams always oscillate when not launched exactly on the sample
center. Stable multipole solitons may include more than four spots in layered
media.


title:
On the ergodicity of the adaptive Metropolis algorithm on unbounded
  domains

abstract:
  This paper describes sufficient conditions to ensure the correct ergodicity
of the Adaptive Metropolis (AM) algorithm of Haario, Saksman and Tamminen
[Bernoulli 7 (2001) 223--242] for target distributions with a noncompact
support. The conditions ensuring a strong law of large numbers require that the
tails of the target density decay super-exponentially and have regular
contours. The result is based on the ergodicity of an auxiliary process that is
sequentially constrained to feasible adaptation sets, independent estimates of
the growth rate of the AM chain and the corresponding geometric drift
constants. The ergodicity result of the constrained process is obtained through
a modification of the approach due to Andrieu and Moulines [Ann. Appl. Probab.
16 (2006) 1462--1505].


title: Additivity of Heegaard genera of bounded surface sums

abstract:
  Let $M$ be a surface sum of 3-manifolds $M_1$ and $M_2$ along a bounded
connected surface $F$ and $\partial_i$ be the component of $\partial M_i$
containing $F$. If $M_i$ has a high distance Heegaard splitting, then any
minimal Heegaard splitting of $M$ is the amalgamation of those of $M^1, M^2$
and $M^*$, where $M^i=M_i\setminus\partial_i\times I$, and
$M^{*}=\partial_1\times I\cup_{F} \partial_2\times I$. Furthermore, once both
$\partial_i\setminus F$ are connected, then $g(M) = Min\bigl\{g(M_1)+g(M_2),
\alpha\bigr\}$, where $\alpha = g(M_1) + g(M_2) + 1/2(2\chi(F) + 2 -
\chi(\partial_1) - \chi(\partial_2)) - Max\bigl\{g(\partial_1),
g(\partial_2)\bigl\}$; in particular $g(M)=g(M_1)+g(M_2)$ if and only if
$\chi(F)\geq 1/2Max\bigl\{\chi(\partial_1), \chi(\partial_2)\bigr\}.$
  The proofs rely on Scharlemann-Tomova's theorem.


title: Statistics of Fluctuating Colloidal Fluid-Fluid Interfaces

abstract:
  Fluctuations of the interface between coexisting colloidal fluid phases have
been measured with confocal microscopy. Due to a very low surface tension, the
thermal motions of the interface are so slow, that a record can be made of the
positions of the interface. The theory of the interfacial height fluctuations
is developed. For a host of correlation functions, the experimental data are
compared with the theoretical expressions. The agreement between theory and
experiment is remarkably good.


title: q,t-Fuss-Catalan numbers for complex reflection groups

abstract:
  In type A, the q,t-Fuss -Catalan numbers can be defined as a bigraded Hilbert
series of a module associated to the symmetric group S_n. We generalize this
construction to (finite) complex reflection groups and exhibit some nice
conjectured algebraic and combinatorial properties of these polynomials in q
and t. Finally, we present an idea how these polynomials could be related to
some graded Hilbert series of modules arising in the context of rational
Cherednik algebras. This is work in progress.


title: Evolving complex networks with conserved clique distributions

abstract:
  We propose and study a hierarchical algorithm to generate graphs having a
predetermined distribution of cliques, the fully connected subgraphs. The
construction mechanism may be either random or incorporate preferential
attachment. We evaluate the statistical properties of the graphs generated,
such as the degree distribution and network diameters, and compare them to some
real-world graphs.


title: Surface operators and magnetic degrees of freedom in Yang-Mills theories

abstract:
  Magnetic degrees of freedom are manifested through violations of the Bianchi
identities and associated with singular fields. Moreover, these singularities
should not induce color non-conservation. We argue that the resolution of the
constraint is that the singular fields, or defects are Abelian in nature.
Recently proposed surface operators seem to represent a general solution to
this constraint and can serve as a prototype of magnetic degrees of freedom.
Some basic lattice observations, such as the Abelian dominance of the confining
fields, are explained then as consequences of the original non-Abelian
invariance.


title: Data-driven Sobolev tests of uniformity on compact Riemannian manifolds

abstract:
  Data-driven versions of Sobolev tests of uniformity on compact Riemannian
manifolds are proposed. These tests are invariant under isometries and are
consistent against all alternatives. The large-sample asymptotic null
distributions are given.


title:
Construction of A Lattice on the completion space of an algebra and an
  isomorphism to its Caratheodory Extension

abstract:
  In this paper, we will show how the Caratheodory Extension process is
intimately related to the metric completion process. In particular, it will be
shown how one is able to construct a lattice on the completion and to obtain an
isomorphism to its Caratheodory Extension.


title: New Techniques for Empirical Process of Dependent Data

abstract:
  We present a new technique for proving empirical process invariance principle
for stationary processes $(X_n)_{n\geq 0}$. The main novelty of our approach
lies in the fact that we only require the central limit theorem and a moment
bound for a restricted class of functions $(f(X_n))_{n\geq 0}$, not containing
the indicator functions. Our approach can be applied to Markov chains and
dynamical systems, using spectral properties of the transfer operator. Our
proof consists of a novel application of chaining techniques.


title: InAs Nanowire MOS Capacitors

abstract:
  We present a capacitance-voltage study for arrays of vertical InAs nanowires.
MOS capacitors are obtained by insulating the nanowires with a conformal 10nm
HfO2 layer and using a top Cr/Au metallization as one of the capacitor's
electrodes. The described fabrication and characterization technique enables a
systematic investigation of the carrier density in the nanowires as well as of
the quality of the MOS interface.


title: Modern Set

abstract:
  In this paper, we intend to generalize the classical set theory as much as
possible. we will do this by freeing sets from the regular properties of
classical sets; e.g., the law of excluded middle, the law of non-contradiction,
the distributive law, the commutative law,etc....


title:
Probing unparticle theory via lepton flavor violating process $J/\psi\to
  ll'$ at BESIII

abstract:
  The lepton flavor violating process $J/\psi\to ll' (l\neq l')$ serves as an
ideal place to probe the unparticle theory. Such process can only occur at loop
level in the Standard model (SM), so that should be very suppressed, by
contrast in unparticle scenario, it happens at tree level and its contribution
may be sizable for practical measurement. Moreover, the BESIII will offer the
largest database on $J/\psi$ which makes more accurate measurements possible.
Furthermore, for such purely leptonic decays background is relatively low and
signal would be cleaner. Our work carefully investigates the possibility of
observing such processes from both theoretical and experimental aspects.


title:
Polarisation of the omega meson in the pd-->3He+omega reaction at 1360
  and 1450 MeV

abstract:
  The tensor polarisation of omega mesons produced in the pd-->3He+omega
reaction has been studied at two energies near threshold. The 3He nuclei were
detected in coincidence with the pi0pi+pi- or pi0gamma decay products of the
omega. In contrast to the case of phi meson production, the omega mesons are
found to be unpolarised. This brings into question the applicability of the
Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka rule when comparing the production of vector mesons in low
energy hadronic reactions.


title:
Cluster-surface and cluster-cluster interactions: Ab initio calculations
  and modeling of van der Waals forces

abstract:
  We present fully ab-initio calculations of van der Waals coefficients for two
different situations: i) the interaction between hydrogenated silicon clusters;
and ii) the interactions between these nanostructures and a non metallic
surface (a silicon or a silicon carbide surface). The methods used are very
efficient, and allow the calculation of systems containing hundreds of atoms.
The results obtained are further analyzed and understood with the help of
simple models. These models can be of interest for molecular dynamics
simulations of silicon nanostructures on surfaces, where they can give a very
fast yet sufficiently accurate determination of the van der Waals interaction
at large separations.


title:
The Kleene-Rosser Paradox, The Liar's Paradox & A Fuzzy Logic
  Programming Paradox Imply SAT is (NOT) NP-complete

abstract:
  After examining the {\bf P} versus {\bf NP} problem against the Kleene-Rosser
paradox of the $\lambda$-calculus [94], it was found that it represents a
counter-example to NP-completeness. We prove that it contradicts the proof of
Cook's theorem. A logical formalization of the liar's paradox leads to the same
result. This formalization of the liar's paradox into a computable form is a
2-valued instance of a fuzzy logic programming paradox discovered in the system
of [90]. Three proofs that show that {\bf SAT} is (NOT) NP-complete are
presented. The counter-example classes to NP-completeness are also
counter-examples to Fagin's theorem [36] and the Immermann-Vardi theorem
[89,110], the fundamental results of descriptive complexity. All these results
show that {\bf ZF$\not$C} is inconsistent.


title: Decomposition rank and Z-stability

abstract:
  We show that separable, simple, unital C*-algebras with finite decomposition
rank absorb the Jiang-Su algebra Z tensorially. This has a number of
consequences for Elliott's program to classify nuclear C*-algebras by their
K-theory data. In particular, it completes the classification of C*-algebras
associated to uniquely ergodic, smooth, minimal dynamical systems by their
ordered K-groups.


title:
The Underlying Event and the Total Cross Section from Tevatron to the
  LHC

abstract:
  Multiple partonic interactions are widely used to simulate the hadronic final
state in high energy hadronic collisions, and successfully describe many
features of the data. It is important to make maximum use of the available
physical constraints on such models, particularly given the large extrapolation
from current high energy data to LHC energies. In eikonal models, the rate of
multiparton interactions is coupled to the energy dependence of the total cross
section. Using a Monte Carlo implementation of such a model, we study the
connection between the total cross section, the jet cross section, and the
underlying event. By imposing internal consistency on the model, we derive
constraints on its parameters at the LHC. By imposing internal consistency on
the model and comparing to current data we constrain the allowed range of its
parameters. We show that measurements of the total proton-proton cross-section
at the LHC are likely to break this internal consistency, and thus to require
an extension of the model. Likely such extensions are that hard scatters probe
a denser matter distribution inside the proton in impact parameter space than
soft scatters, a conclusion also supported by Tevatron data on double-parton
scattering, and/or that the basic parameters of the model are energy dependent.


title:
Ultracold dipolar gas in an optical lattice: the fate of metastable
  states

abstract:
  We study the physics of ultracold dipolar bosons in optical lattices. We show
that dipole-dipole interactions lead to the appearance of many insulating
metastable states. We study the stability and lifetime of these states using a
generalization of the instanton theory. We investigate also possibilities to
prepare, control and manipulate these states using time dependent superlattice
modifications and modulations. We show that the transfer from one metastable
configuration to another necessarily occurs via superfluid states, but can be
controlled fully on the quantum level. We show how the metastable states can be
created in the presence of the harmonic trap. Our findings open the way toward
applications of the metastable states as quantum memories.


title: Electron optics with magnetic vector potential barriers in graphene

abstract:
  An analysis of electron transport in graphene is presented in the presence of
various arrangement of delta-function like magnetic barriers. The motion
through one such barrier gives an unusual non specular refraction leading to
asymmetric transmission. The symmetry is restored by putting two such barriers
in opposite direction side by side. Periodic arrangements of such barriers can
be used as Bragg reflectors whose reflectivity has been calculated using a
transfer matrix formalism. Such Bragg reflectors can be used to make resonant
cavities. We also analyze the associated band structure for the case of
infinite periodic structures.


title:
Symmetry for solutions of two-phase semilinear elliptic equations on
  hyperbolic space

abstract:
  Assume that $f(s) = F'(s)$ where $F$ is a double-well potential. Under
certain conditions on the Lipschitz constant of $f$ on $[-1,1]$, we prove that
arbitrary bounded global solutions of the semilinear equation $\Delta u = f(u)$
on hyperbolic space $\HH^n$ must reduce to functions of one variable provided
they admit asymptotic boundary values on the infinite boundary of $\HH^n$ which
are invariant under a cohomogeneity one subgroup of the group of isometries of
$\HH^n$. We also prove existence of these one-dimensional solutions.


title: Branchfolds and rational conifolds

abstract:
  We extend the concept of orbifold to that of branchfold, in order to allow
any cone singularities with rational angles, and show why branchfolds naturally
fit in the theory of branched coverings. Then, we obtain a geometric goodness
theorem for branchfolds and apply it to prove that a conifold can be endowed
with branchfold structure if and only if it has locally finite holonomy.


title:
Absorption Cross-Section and Near-Field Enhancement in Finite-Length
  Carbon Nanotubes in the Terahertz-to-Optical Range

abstract:
  Electromagnetic characteristics of single-walled finite-length carbon
nanotubes - absorption cross-section and field enhancement in the near zone -
are theoretically studied in a wide frequency range from terahertz to visible.
The analysis is based on the impedance-type effective boundary conditions and
the integral equation technique. Comparison with experimental results is
carried out allowing qualitative physical interpretation of low-frequency
(far-IR and terahertz) absorption band observed in experiments. Potentiality of
CNTs for the IR photothermolysis of living cells is discussed. Strong local
field enhancement is predicted to be inherent to metallic CNTs in the
near-field zone providing necessary mechanism for far-IR and terahertz
near-field optics.


title:
Effect of pressure on steplike magnetostriction of single crystalline
  (La$_{0.4}$Pr$_{0.6}$)$_{1.2}$Sr$_{1.8}$Mn$_{2}$O$_{7}$ bilayered manganite

abstract:
  e report the effect of pressure on the steplike magnetostriction of single
crystalline bilayered manganite (LaPr)1.2Sr1.8Mn2O8, for our understandings of
the ultrasharp nature of the field-induced first-order transition from a
paramagnetic insulator to a ferromagnetic metal phase. The application of
pressure suppresses a steplike transformation and causes a broad change in the
magnetostriction. The injection of an electric current to the crystal also
weakens the steplike variation in both the magnetostriction and
magnetoresistance. The stabilization of ferromagnetic interaction or the
delocalization of charge carriers is promoted with the applied pressure or
applied current, resulting in the suppressed steplike behavior. Our findings
suggest that the step phenomenon is closely related to the existence of
localized carriers such as the short-range charge-orbital ordered clusters.


title:
Evolution of relativistic jets from XTE J1550-564 and the environment of
  microquasars

abstract:
  Two relativistic X-ray jets have been detected with the Chandra X-ray
observatory in the black hole X-ray transient XTE J1550-564. We report a full
analysis of the evolution of the two jets with a gamma-ray burst external shock
model. A plausible scenario suggests a cavity outside the central source and
the jets first travelled with constant velocity and then are slowed down by the
interactions between the jets and the interstellar medium (ISM). The best
fitted radius of the cavity is ~0.36 pc on the eastern side and ~0.46 pc on the
western side, and the densities also show asymmetry, of ~0.015 cm$^{-3}$ on the
east to ~0.21 cm$^{-3}$ on the west. Large scale low density region is also
found in another microquasar system, H 1743-322. These results are consistent
with previous suggestions that the environment of microquasars should be rather
vacuous, compared to the normal Galactic environment. A generic scenario for
microquasar jets is proposed, classifying the observed jets into three main
categories, with different jet morphologies (and sizes) corresponding to
different scales of vacuous environments surrounding them.


title: Unphysical Gauge Fixing in Higgs Mechanism

abstract:
  The unitary gauge in the Higgs mechanism is to impose the condition of $\phi
=\phi^\dagger $ on the Higgs fields. However, this is not the gauge fixing but
simply a procedure for producing the massive vector boson fields by hand. The
Lagrangian density of the weak interactions should be reconsidered by starting
from the massive vector boson fields which couple to the fermion currents as
the initial ingredients.


title:
Analysis of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as Waveguides and Antennas in
  the Infrared and the Visible Regimes

abstract:
  The propagation of azimuthally symmetric guided waves in multiwalled carbon
nanotubes (MWCNTs) was analyzed theoretically in the mid-infrared and the
visible regimes. The MWCNTs were modeled as ensembles of concentric,
cylindrical, conducting shells. Slightly attenuated guided waves and antenna
resonances due to the edge effect exist for not-too-thick MWCNTs in the far-
and mid-infrared regimes. Interband transitions hinder the propagation of
guided waves and have a deleterious effect on the performance of a
finite-length MWCNT as an antenna. Propagation of surface-plasmon waves along
an MWCNT with a gold core was also analyzed. In the near-infrared and the
visible regimes, the shells behave effectively as lossy dielectrics suppressing
surface-plasmon-wave propagation along the gold core.


title: Thermal fluctuations in superconducting nanowires

abstract:
  We re-analyze the problem of thermally activated phase slips (TAPS) which can
dominate the behavior of sufficiently thin superconducting wires at
temperatures close to $T_C$. With the aid of an effective action approach we
evaluate the TAPS rate which turns out to exceed the rate found by D.E.
McCumber and B.I. Halperin, Phys. Rev. B {\bf 1}, 1054 (1970) within the TDGL
analysis by the factor $\sim (1-T/T_C)^{-1} \gg 1$. Additional differences in
the results of these two approaches arise at bias currents close to the
Ginzburg-Landau critical current where the TAPS rate becomes bigger. We also
derive a simple formula for the voltage noise across the superconducting wire
in terms of the TAPS rate. Our results can be verified in modern experiments
with superconducting nanowires.


title:
Systematic Semiclassical Expansion for Harmonically Trapped Ideal Bose
  Gases

abstract:
  Using a field-theoretic approach, we systematically generalize the usual
semiclassical approximation for a harmonically trapped ideal Bose gas in such a
way that its range of applicability is essentially extended. With this we can
analytically calculate thermodynamic properties even for small particle
numbers. In particular, it now becomes possible to determine the critical
temperature as well as the temperature dependence of both heat capacity and
condensate fraction in low-dimensional traps, where the standard semiclassical
approximation is not even applicable.


title: Remarks on an 1828 theorem of Clausen

abstract:
  We list some explicit calculations related to a theorem of Clausen originally
published in 1828, more commonly known as the result that describes the linear
third order differential equation satisfied by the squares and the product of
any two solutions of a linear second order differential equation in the real
domain. The case of the cube of a solution dates to Appell, 1880. Although not
commonly known and perhaps even new to some extent we show that the fourth and
fifth powers of such solutions actually satisfy a linear differential equation
of order five and six respectively provided the coefficients are sufficiently
smooth. Indeed, it is the case that given any solution of a linear second order
equation its m-th power satisfies an effectively computable linear differential
equation of order m+1.


title: Entropic bounds for the quantum marginal problem

abstract:
  The quantum marginal problem asks, given a set of reduced quantum states of a
multipartite system, whether there exists a joint quantum state consistent with
these reduced states. The quantum marginal problem is known to be hard to solve
in general as it is a variant of the N-representability problem. We provide
entropic bounds on the number of orthogonal solutions to the quantum marginal
problem.


title: Optimal rank-based tests for homogeneity of scatter

abstract:
  We propose a class of locally and asymptotically optimal tests, based on
multivariate ranks and signs for the homogeneity of scatter matrices in $m$
elliptical populations. Contrary to the existing parametric procedures, these
tests remain valid without any moment assumptions, and thus are perfectly
robust against heavy-tailed distributions (validity robustness). Nevertheless,
they reach semiparametric efficiency bounds at correctly specified elliptical
densities and maintain high powers under all (efficiency robustness). In
particular, their normal-score version outperforms traditional Gaussian
likelihood ratio tests and their pseudo-Gaussian robustifications under a very
broad range of non-Gaussian densities including, for instance, all multivariate
Student and power-exponential distributions.


title:
Consequences of increased longevity for wealth, fertility, and
  population growth

abstract:
  We present, solve and numerically simulate a simple model that describes the
consequences of increased longevity on fertility rates, population growth and
the distribution of wealth in developed societies. We look at the consequences
of the repeated use of life extension techniques and show that they represent a
novel commodity whose introduction will profoundly influence key aspects of
economy and society in general. In particular, we uncover two phases within our
simplified model, labeled as 'mortal' and 'immortal'. Within the life extension
scenario it is possible to have sustainable economic growth in a population of
stable size, as a result of dynamical equilibrium between the two phases.


title:
Generation of large-amplitude coherent-state superposition via
  ancilla-assisted photon-subtraction

abstract:
  We propose and demonstrate a novel method to generate a large-amplitude
coherent-state superposition (CSS) via ancilla-assisted photon-subtraction. The
ancillary mode induces quantum interference of indistinguishable processes,
widening the controllability of quantum superposition at the conditional
output. We demonstrate the concept in the time domain, by a simple
time-separated two-photon subtraction from cw squeezed light. We observe the
largest CSS ever reported without any corrections, which will enable various
quantum information applications with CSS states.


title: Photon rockets in (anti-)de Sitter universe

abstract:
  A class of exact solutions of Einstein's equations is presented which
describes accelerating photon rockets in de Sitter and anti-de Sitter universe.
These are particular members of the Robinson-Trautman family of axially
symmetric spacetimes with pure radiation. In particular, generalizations of
(type D) Kinnersley's rockets and (type II) Bonnor's rockets to the case of a
non-vanishing cosmological constant are given. Some of the main physical
properties of these solutions are investigated, and their relation to the
C-metric solution which describes uniformly accelerated black holes is also
given.


title: Quasi-factors for infinite-measure preserving transformations

abstract:
  This paper is a study of Glasner's definition of quasi-factors in the setting
of infinite-measure preserving system. The existence of a system with zero
Krengel entropy and a quasi-factor with positive entropy is obtained. On the
other hand, relative zero-entropy for conservative systems implies relative
zero-entropy of any quasi-factor with respect to its natural projection onto
the factor. This extends (and is based upon) results of Glasner, Thouvenot and
Weiss. Following and extending Glasner and Weiss, we also prove that any
conservative measure preserving system with positive entropy in the sense of
Danilenko and Rudolph admits any probability preserving system with positive
entropy as a factor. Some applications and connections with Poisson-suspensions
are presented.


title: Analytic pro-p groups of small dimensions

abstract:
  According to Lazard, every p-adic Lie group contains an open pro-p subgroup
which is saturable. This can be regarded as the starting point of p-adic Lie
theory, as one can naturally associate to every saturable pro-p group G a Lie
lattice L(G) over the p-adic integers.
  Essential features of saturable pro-p groups include that they are
torsion-free and p-adic analytic. In the present paper we prove a converse
result in small dimensions: every torsion-free p-adic analytic pro-p group of
dimension less than p is saturable.
  This leads to useful consequences and interesting questions. For instance, we
give an effective classification of 3-dimensional soluble torsion-free p-adic
analytic pro-p groups for p > 3. Our approach via Lie theory is comparable with
the use of Lazard's correspondence in the classification of finite p-groups of
small order.


title:
Optical analysis of the poor clusters Abell 610, Abell 725, and Abell
  796, containing diffuse radio sources

abstract:
  We study the dynamical status of the poor, low X-ray luminous galaxy clusters
Abell 610, Abell 725, and Abell 796 (at z=0.1, 0.09, and 0.16, respectively),
containing diffuse radio sources (relic, relic, and possible halo,
respectively). Our analysis is based on new spectroscopic data obtained at the
William Herschel Telescope for 158 galaxies, new photometry obtained at the
Isaac Newton Telescope with the addition of data recovered from the Data
Release 5 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We use statistical tools to select
57, 36, and 26 cluster members and to analyze the kinematics of cluster
galaxies, as well as to study the 2D cluster structure. The low values we
compute for the global line-of-sight velocity dispersion of galaxies (420-700
km/s) confirm that these clusters are low-mass clusters. Abell 610 shows a lot
of evidence of substructure. It seems to be formed by two structures separated
by about 700 km/s in the cluster rest-frame, having comparable velocity
dispersion (about 200 km/s) and likely causing a velocity gradient. The
analysis of the 2D galaxy distribution shows a bimodal distribution in the core
elongated in the SE-NW direction. Abell 725 and Abell 796, which are less
sampled, show marginal evidence of substructure in the velocity space. They are
elongated in the 2D galaxy distribution. For both Abell 610 and Abell 725 we
shortly discuss the possible connection with the hosted diffuse radio relic.
Our results show that relic radio sources are likely connected with merger
events,but are not limited to massive clusters. About the possible halo source
in Abell 796, there is some evidence of a merger event in this non-massive
cluster, but a pointed radio observation is necessary to confirm this halo.


title:
Multivariate spacings based on data depth: I. Construction of
  nonparametric multivariate tolerance regions

abstract:
  This paper introduces and studies multivariate spacings. The spacings are
developed using the order statistics derived from data depth. Specifically, the
spacing between two consecutive order statistics is the region which bridges
the two order statistics, in the sense that the region contains all the points
whose depth values fall between the depth values of the two consecutive order
statistics. These multivariate spacings can be viewed as a data-driven
realization of the so-called ``statistically equivalent blocks.'' These
spacings assume a form of center-outward layers of ``shells'' (``rings'' in the
two-dimensional case), where the shapes of the shells follow closely the
underlying probabilistic geometry. The properties and applications of these
spacings are studied. In particular, the spacings are used to construct
tolerance regions. The construction of tolerance regions is nonparametric and
completely data driven, and the resulting tolerance region reflects the true
geometry of the underlying distribution. This is different from most existing
approaches which require that the shape of the tolerance region be specified in
advance. The proposed tolerance regions are shown to meet the prescribed
specifications, in terms of $\beta$-content and $\beta$-expectation. They are
also asymptotically minimal under elliptical distributions. Finally, a
simulation and comparison study on the proposed tolerance regions is presented.


title: Phase diagram of 4He adsorbed on graphite

abstract:
  We present results of a theoretical study of 4He films adsorbed on graphite,
based on the continuous space worm algorithm. In the first layer, we find a
domain-wall phase and a (7/16) registered structure between the commensurate
(1/3) and the incommensurate solid phases. For the second layer, we find only
superfluid and incommensurate solid phases. The commensurate phase found in
previous simulation work is only observed if first layer particles are kept
fixed; it disappears upon explicitly including their zero-point fluctuations.
No evidence of any "supersolid" phase is found.


title:
Diffusive transport of light in a two-dimensional disordered packing of
  disks: Analytical approach to transport-mean-free path

abstract:
  We study photon diffusion in a two-dimensional random packing of monodisperse
disks as a simple model of granular media and wet foams. We assume that the
intensity reflectance of disks is a constant. We present an analytic expression
for the transport-mean-free path in terms of the velocity of light in the disks
and host medium, radius and packing fraction of the disks, and the intensity
reflectance. For the glass beads immersed in the air or water, we estimate
transport-mean-free paths about half the experimental ones. For the air bubbles
immersed in the water, transport-mean-free paths is an inverse function of
liquid volume fraction of the model wet foam. This throws new light on the
empirical law of Vera et. al, and promotes more realistic models.


title: The rate of secular evolution in elliptical galaxies with central masses

abstract:
  We study a series of $N-$body simulations representing elliptical galaxies
with central masses. Starting from two different systems with smooth centres,
which have initially a triaxial configuration and are in equilibrium, we insert
to them central masses of various values. Immediately after such an insertion a
system presents a high fraction of particles moving in chaotic orbits, a fact
causing a secular evolution towards a new equilibrium state. The chaotic orbits
responsible for the secular evolution are identified. Their typical Lypaunov
exponents are found to scale with the central mass as a power law $L\propto
m^s$ with $s$ close to 1/2. The requirements for an effective secular evolution
within a Hubble time are examined. These requirements are quantified by
introducing a quantity called \emph{effective chaotic momentum} $\mathscr{L}$.
This quantity is found to correlate well with the rate of the systems' secular
evolution. In particular, we find that when $\mathscr{L}$ falls below a
threshold value (0.004 in our $N-$body units) a system does no longer exhibit
significant secular evolution.


title: Incomplete Entanglement: consequences for the QZE

abstract:
  We show that the Quantum Zeno Effect prevails even if the entanglement with
the measuring probe is not complete. The dynamics towards the asymptotic regime
as a function of $N$, the number of measurements, reveals surprising results:
the transition probability, for some values of the coupling to the measuring
probe, may decrease much faster than the normal QZE.


title:
The Sensitivity of Nucleosynthesis in Type I X-ray Bursts to
  Thermonuclear Reaction-Rate Variations

abstract:
  We examine the sensitivity of nucleosynthesis in Type I X-ray bursts to
variations in nuclear rates. As a large number of nuclear processes are
involved in these phenomena -with the vast majority of reaction rates only
determined theoretically due to the lack of any experimental information- our
results can provide a means for determining which rates play significant roles
in the thermonuclear runaway. These results may then motivate new experiments.
For our studies, we have performed a comprehensive series of one-zone
post-processing calculations in conjunction with various representative X-ray
burst thermodynamic histories. We present those reactions whose rate variations
have the largest effects on yields in our studies.


title: A general trimming approach to robust Cluster Analysis

abstract:
  We introduce a new method for performing clustering with the aim of fitting
clusters with different scatters and weights. It is designed by allowing to
handle a proportion $\alpha$ of contaminating data to guarantee the robustness
of the method. As a characteristic feature, restrictions on the ratio between
the maximum and the minimum eigenvalues of the groups scatter matrices are
introduced. This makes the problem to be well defined and guarantees the
consistency of the sample solutions to the population ones. The method covers a
wide range of clustering approaches depending on the strength of the chosen
restrictions. Our proposal includes an algorithm for approximately solving the
sample problem.


title:
Forward detectors around the CMS interaction point at LHC and their
  physics potential

abstract:
  Forward physics with CMS at the LHC covers a wide range of physics subjects,
including very low-x QCD, underlying event and multiple interactions
characteristics, gamma-mediated processes, shower development at the energy
scale of primary cosmic ray interactions with the atmosphere, diffraction in
the presence of a hard scale and even MSSM Higgs discovery in central exclusive
production. We describe the forward detector instrumentation around the CMS
interaction point and present selected feasibility studies to illustrate their
physics potential.


title:
Diffusion based degradation mechanisms in giant magnetoresistive spin
  valves

abstract:
  Spin valve systems based on the giant magnetoresistive (GMR) effect as used
for example in hard disks and automotive applications consist of several
functional metallic thin film layers. We have identified by secondary ion mass
spectrometry (SIMS) two main degradation mechanisms: One is related to oxygen
diffusion through a protective cap layer, and the other one is interdiffusion
directly at the functional layers of the GMR stack. By choosing a suitable
material as cap layer (TaN), the oxidation effect can be suppressed.


title: Energy Critical NLS in two space dimensions

abstract:
  We investigate the initial value problem for a defocusing nonlinear
Schr\"odingerequation with exponential nonlinearity. We identify subcritical,
critical and supercritical regimes in the energy space. We establish global
well-posedness in the subcritical and critical regimes. Well-posedness fails to
hold in the supercritical case.


title: A fourth moment inequality for functionals of stationary processes

abstract:
  In this paper, a fourth moment bound for partial sums of functional of
strongly ergodic Markov chain is established. This type of inequality plays an
important role in the study of empirical process invariance principle. This one
is specially adapted to the technique of Dehling, Durieu and Voln\'y (2008).
The same moment bound can be proved for dynamical system whose transfer
operator has some spectral properties. Examples of applications are given.


title:
Search for Gamma-rays from Dark Matter annihilations around Intermediate
  Mass Black Holes with the H.E.S.S. experiment

abstract:
  The H.E.S.S. array of Cherenkov telescopes has performed, from 2004 to 2007,
a survey of the inner Galactic plane at photon energies above 100 GeV. About
400 hours of data have been accumulated in the region between -30 and +60
degrees in Galactic longitude, and between -3 and +3 degrees in Galactic
latitude. Assuming that dark matter is composed of Weakly Interacting Massive
Particles, we calculate here the H.E.S.S. sensitivity map for dark matter
annihilations, and derive the first experimental constraints on the
''mini-spikes'' scenario, in which a gamma-ray signal arises from dark matter
annihilation around Intermediate Mass Black Holes. The data exclude the
proposed scenario at a 90% confidence level for dark matter particles with
velocity-weighted annihilation cross section sigma v above 10^28 cm3s^-1 and
mass between 800 GeV and 10 TeV.


title:
Non-Hermitian PT-symmetric and Hermitian Hamiltonians' correspondence:
  Isospectrality and mass signature

abstract:
  A transformation of the form x to iy; x,y in R, or an equivalent similarity
transformation with a metric operator $\eta$ are shown to transform
non-Hermitian PT-symmetric Hamiltonians into Hermitian partner Hamiltonians in
Hilbert space. Isospectrality and mass signature are discussed.


title:
Semiclassical analysis of edge state energies in the integer quantum
  Hall effect

abstract:
  Analysis of edge-state energies in the integer quantum Hall effect is carried
out within the semiclassical approximation. When the system is wide so that
each edge can be considered separatly, this problem is equivalent to that of a
one dimensional harmonic oscillator centered at x=x_c and an infinite wall at
x=0, and appears in numerous physical contexts. The eigenvalues E_n(x_c) for a
given quantum number n are solutions of the equation S(E,x_c)=\pi [n+
\gamma(E,x_c)] where S is the WKB action and 0<\gamma<1 encodes all the
information on the connection procedure at the turning points.
  A careful implication of the WKB connection formulae results in an excellent
approximation to the exact energy eigenvalues. The dependence of \gamma
[E_n(x_c),x_c] \equiv \gamma_c (x_c) on x_c is analyzed between its two extreme
values 1/2 as x_c goes to -infinity far inside the sample and 3/4 as x_c goes
to infinity far outside the sample. The edge-state energies E_n(x_c) obey an
almost exact scaling law of the form E_n(x_c)=4 [n+\gamma_n(x_c)] f(x_c/4 n +3)
and the scaling function f(y) is explicitly elucidated


title: Quantum Fokker-Planck models: the Lindblad and Wigner approaches

abstract:
  In this article we try to bridge the gap between the quantum dynamical
semigroup and Wigner function approaches to quantum open systems. In particular
we study stationary states and the long time asymptotics for the quantum
Fokker-Planck equation. Our new results apply to open quantum systems in a
harmonic confinement potential, perturbed by a (large) sub-quadratic term.


title: Adaptive goodness-of-fit tests based on signed ranks

abstract:
  Within the nonparametric regression model with unknown regression function
$l$ and independent, symmetric errors, a new multiscale signed rank statistic
is introduced and a conditional multiple test of the simple hypothesis $l=0$
against a nonparametric alternative is proposed. This test is distribution-free
and exact for finite samples even in the heteroscedastic case. It adapts in a
certain sense to the unknown smoothness of the regression function under the
alternative, and it is uniformly consistent against alternatives whose sup-norm
tends to zero at the fastest possible rate. The test is shown to be
asymptotically optimal in two senses: It is rate-optimal adaptive against
H\"{o}lder classes. Furthermore, its relative asymptotic efficiency with
respect to an asymptotically minimax optimal test under sup-norm loss is close
to 1 in case of homoscedastic Gaussian errors within a broad range of
H\"{o}lder classes simultaneously.


title: Inhomogeneous baryogenesis, cosmic antimatter, and dark matter

abstract:
  A model of inhomogeneous baryogenesis based on the Affleck and Dine mechanism
is described. A simple coupling of the scalar baryon field to the inflaton
allows for formation of astronomically significant bubbles with a large baryon
(or antibaryon) asymmetry. During the farther evolution these domains form
compact stellar-like objects, or lower density clouds, or primordial black
holes of different size. According to the scenario, such high baryonic number
objects occupy relatively small fraction of space but despite that they may
significantly contribute to the cosmological mass density. For some values of
parameters the model allows the possibility the whole dark matter in the
universe to be baryonic. Furthermore, the model allows the existence of the
antibaryonic B-bubbles, i.e. a significant fraction of the mass density in the
universe can be in the form of the compact antimatter objects (e.g.
anti-stars).


title:
Energy improvement for energy minimizing functions in the complement of
  generalized Reifenberg-flat sets

abstract:
  Let P be an hyperplane in R^N, and denote by dH the Hausdorff distance. We
show that for all positive radius r < 1 there is an epsilon > 0, such that if K
is a Reifenberg-flat set in B(0; 1), a ball in R^N, that contains the origin,
with d_H(K; P) <epsilon, and if u is an energy minimizing function in B(0; 1)\K
with restricted values on @B(0; 1)\K, then the normalized energy of u in B(0;
r)\K is bounded by the normalized energy of u in B(0; 1)\K. We also prove the
same result in R^3 when K is a epsilon-minimal set, that is a generalization of
Reifenberg-flat sets with minimal cones of type Y and T. Moreover, the result
is still true for a further generalization of sets called (eps; eps_0)-minimal.
This article is a preliminary study for a forthcoming paper where a regularity
result for the singular set of the Mumford-Shah functional close to minimal
cones in R^3 is proved by the same author.


title: Stellar Populations of Bulges in 14 Cluster Disc Galaxies

abstract:
  Photometry and long-slit spectroscopy are presented for 14 S0 and spiral
galaxies of the Fornax, Eridanus and Pegasus cluster, and NGC 7582 group.
  The structural parameters of the galaxies are derived from the R-band images
by performing a two-dimensional photometric decomposition of the
surface-brightness distribution. This is assumed to be the sum of the
contribution of a bulge and disc component characterized by elliptical and
concentric isophotes with constant (but possibly different) ellipticity and
position angles.
  The rotation curves and velocity dispersion profiles are measured from the
spectra obtained along the major axis of galaxies. The radial profiles of the
Hb, Mg, and Fe line-strength indices are presented too. Correlations between
the central values of Mgd, <Fe>, Hb, and sigma are found.
  The age, metallicity and alpha/Fe enhancement of the stellar population in
the center and at the radius where bulge and disc give the same contribution to
the total surface brightness are obtained using stellar population models with
variable element abundance ratios.
  Three classes of bulges are identified. The youngest bulges (~2 Gyr) with
ongoing star formation, intermediate-age bulges (4-8 Gyr) have solar
metallicity, and old bulges (~10 Gyr) have high metallicity.
  Most of the sample bulges display solar alpha/Fe enhancement, no gradient in
age, and a negative gradient of metallicity. The presence of negative gradient
in the metallicity radial profile favors a scenario with bulge formation via
dissipative collapse. (abridged)


title: How to grow a bubble: A model of myopic adapting agents

abstract:
  We present a simple agent-based model to study the development of a bubble
and the consequential crash and investigate how their proximate triggering
factor might relate to their fundamental mechanism, and vice versa. Our agents
invest according to their opinion on future price movements, which is based on
three sources of information, (i) public information, i.e. news, (ii)
information from their "friendship" network and (iii) private information. Our
bounded rational agents continuously adapt their trading strategy to the
current market regime by weighting each of these sources of information in
their trading decision according to its recent predicting performance. We find
that bubbles originate from a random lucky streak of positive news, which, due
to a feedback mechanism of these news on the agents' strategies develop into a
transient collective herding regime. After this self-amplified exuberance, the
price has reached an unsustainable high value, being corrected by a crash,
which brings the price even below its fundamental value. These ingredients
provide a simple mechanism for the excess volatility documented in financial
markets. Paradoxically, it is the attempt for investors to adapt to the current
market regime which leads to a dramatic amplification of the price volatility.
A positive feedback loop is created by the two dominating mechanisms
(adaptation and imitation) which, by reinforcing each other, result in bubbles
and crashes. The model offers a simple reconciliation of the two opposite
(herding versus fundamental) proposals for the origin of crashes within a
single framework and justifies the existence of two populations in the
distribution of returns, exemplifying the concept that crashes are
qualitatively different from the rest of the price moves.

categories: q-fin.TR physics.soc-ph q-fin.GN q-fin.ST


title: Migration of Protoplanets in Radiative Disks

abstract:
  In isothermal disks the migration of protoplanets is directed inward. For
small planetary masses the standard type-I migration rates are so fast that
this may result in an unrealistic loss of planets into the stars. We
investigate the planet-disk interaction in non-isothermal disks and analyze the
magnitude and direction of migration for an extended range of planet masses. We
have performed detailed two-dimensional numerical simulations of embedded
planets including heating/cooling effects as well as radiative diffusion for
realistic opacities.
  In radiative disks, small planets with M_planet < 50 M_Earth do migrate
outward with a rate comparable to absolute magnitude of standard type-I
migration. For larger masses the migration is inward and approaches the
isothermal, type-II migration rate. Our findings are particularly important for
the first growth phase of planets and ease the problem of too rapid inward
type-I migration.


title:
On Information Rates of the Fading Wyner Cellular Model via the Thouless
  Formula for the Strip

abstract:
  We apply the theory of random Schr\"odinger operators to the analysis of
multi-users communication channels similar to the Wyner model, that are
characterized by short-range intra-cell broadcasting. With $H$ the channel
transfer matrix, $HH^\dagger$ is a narrow-band matrix and in many aspects is
similar to a random Schr\"odinger operator. We relate the per-cell sum-rate
capacity of the channel to the integrated density of states of a random
Schr\"odinger operator; the latter is related to the top Lyapunov exponent of a
random sequence of matrices via a version of the Thouless formula. Unlike
related results in classical random matrix theory, limiting results do depend
on the underlying fading distributions. We also derive several bounds on the
limiting per-cell sum-rate capacity, some based on the theory of random
Schr\"odinger operators, and some derived from information theoretical
considerations. Finally, we get explicit results in the high-SNR regime for
some particular cases.


title:
The anomalous Upsilon(1S)pi+pi- and Upsilon(2S)pi+pi- production near
  the Upsilon(5S) resonance

abstract:
  We report the study of e+e- -> Upsilon(1S)pi+pi-, Upsilon(2S)pi+pi-,
Upsilon(3S)pi+pi-, and Upsilon(1S)K+K-, near the peak of the Upsilon(5S)
resonance. The results are based on a data sample of 21.7 fb^-1 collected with
the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- collider. Attributing the signals to the
Upsilon(5S) resonance, the partial widths Gamma(Upsilon(5S)->Upsilon(1S)pi+pi-)
= 0.59+-0.04(stat)+-0.09(syst) MeV and Gamma(Upsilon(5S)->Upsilon(2S)pi+pi-) =
0.85+-0.07(stat)+-0.16(syst) MeV are obtained from the observed cross sections.
These values exceed by more than two orders of magnitude the previously
measured partial widths for dipion transitions between lower Upsilon
resonances.


title:
Reply to the "Comment on `Once more about the $K\bar{K}$ molecule
  approach to the light scalars' "

abstract:
  The need to regularize loop integrals in a manner that preserves gauge
invariance, for example, using the Pauli-Villars method, requires a subtraction
that in the large mass limit hides its high momentum origin. This gives rise to
the illusion that only nonrelativistic kaon loop momenta are relevant, when in
fact this is not the case, as we show.


title:
Regularity of the singular set for Mumford-Shah minimizers in R^3 near a
  minimal cone

abstract:
  We show that if (u;K) is a minimizer of the Mumford-Shah functional in an
open set of R^3, and if x, K and r > 0 are such that K is close enough to a
minimal cone of type P (a plane), Y (three half planes meeting with 120 degrees
angles) or T (cone over a regular tetrahedron centered at the origin) in terms
of Hausdorff distance in B(x; r), then K is C^1,alpha equivalent to the minimal
cone in B(x; cr) where c < 1 is an universal constant.


title:
Isogenies and the Discrete Logarithm Problem in Jacobians of Genus 3
  Hyperelliptic Curves

abstract:
  We describe the use of explicit isogenies to translate instances of the
Discrete Logarithm Problem (DLP) from Jacobians of hyperelliptic genus 3 curves
to Jacobians of non-hyperelliptic genus 3 curves, where they are vulnerable to
faster index calculus attacks. We provide explicit formulae for isogenies with
kernel isomorphic to $(\ZZ/2\ZZ)^3$ (over an algebraic closure of the base
field) for any hyperelliptic genus 3 curve over a field of characteristic not 2
or 3. These isogenies are rational for a positive fraction of all hyperelliptic
genus 3 curves defined over a finite field of characteristic $p > 3$. Subject
to reasonable assumptions, our constructions give an explicit and efficient
reduction of instances of the DLP from hyperelliptic to non-hyperelliptic
Jacobians for around 18.57% of all hyperelliptic genus 3 curves over a given
finite field. We conclude with a discussion on extending these ideas to
isogenies with more general kernels. A condensed version of this work appeared
in the proceedings of the EUROCRYPT 2008 conference.


title: Invertible and nilpotent matrices over antirings

abstract:
  In this paper we characterize invertible matrices over an arbitrary
commutative antiring S and find the structure of GL_n (S). We find the number
of nilpotent matrices over an entire commutative finite antiring. We prove that
every nilpotent $n \times n$ matrix over an entire antiring can be written as a
sum of $\lceil \log_2 n \rceil$ square-zero matrices and also find the
necessary number of square-zero summands for an arbitrary trace-zero matrix to
be expressible as their sum.


title: Hybrid Planar FEM in Magnetoresonance Regime: Control of Dynamical Chaos

abstract:
  We establish the influence of nonlinear electron dynamics in the
magnetostatic field of a hybrid planar free-electron maser on its gain and
interaction efficiency. Even for the `ideal' undulator magnetic field the
presence of uniform longitudinal (guide) magnetic field potentially leads to
the existence of chaotic zone around certain (magnetoresonant) value of the
guide magnetic field. The width of the chaotic zone is given by the Chirikov
resonance-overlap criterion applied to the normal undulator and cyclotron
frequencies with respect to the coupling induced by the undulator magnetic
field. Using analytical asymptotically exact solutions for trajectories of
individual test electrons, we show that the magnetoresonant multiplier in
electron trajectories is also present in the expression for the gain. The same
Chirikov resonance-overlap criterion allows us to estimate analytically the
maximal magnetoresonant gain of a hybrid planar free-electron maser showing
that, in spite of the well-known drop in the gain for the exact
magnetoresonance, the operation regime in the zone of regular dynamics slightly
above the magnetoresonant value of the guide magnetic field is the preferable
one.


abstract:
  Using Deodhar's decomposition of a double Schubert cell, we study the regular
representations of finite groups of Lie type arising in the cohomology of
Deligne-Lusztig varieties associated to tori. We deduce that the
Deligne-Lusztig restriction of a Gelfand-Graev module is a shifted
Gelfand-Graev module.


title:
Imprints of cosmic strings on the cosmological gravitational wave
  background

abstract:
  The equation which governs the temporal evolution of a gravitational wave
(GW) in curved space-time can be treated as the Schrodinger equation for a
particle moving in the presence of an effective potential. When GWs propagate
in an expanding Universe with constant effective potential, there is a critical
value (k_c) of the comoving wave-number which discriminates the metric
perturbations into oscillating (k > k_c) and non-oscillating (k < k_c) modes.
As a consequence, if the non-oscillatory modes are outside the horizon they do
not freeze out. The effective potential is reduced to a non-vanishing constant
in a cosmological model which is driven by a two-component fluid, consisting of
radiation (dominant) and cosmic strings (sub-dominant). It is known that the
cosmological evolution gradually results in the scaling of a cosmic-string
network and, therefore, after some time (\Dl \ta) the Universe becomes
radiation-dominated. The evolution of the non-oscillatory GW modes during \Dl
\ta (while they were outside the horizon), results in the distortion of the GW
power spectrum from what it is anticipated in a pure radiation-model, at
present-time frequencies in the range 10^{-16} Hz < f < 10^5 Hz.


title: Magnetic moments in the presence of topological defects in graphene

abstract:
  We study the influence of pentagons, dislocations and other topological
defects breaking the sublattice symmetry on the magnetic properties of a
graphene lattice in a Hartree Fock mean field scheme. The ground state of the
system with a number of vacancies or similar defects belonging to the same
sublattice is known to have total spin equal to the number of uncoordinated
atoms in the lattice for any value of the Coulomb repulsion U according to the
Lieb theorem. We show that the presence of a single pentagonal ring in a large
lattice is enough to alter this behavior and a critical value of U is needed to
get the polarized ground state. Glide dislocations made of a pentagon-heptagon
pair induce more dramatic changes on the lattice and the critical value of U
needed to polarize the ground state depends on the density and on the relative
position of the defects. We found a region in parameter space where the
polarized and unpolarized ground states coexist.


title: Dislocations in graphene

abstract:
  We study the stability and evolution of various elastic defects in a flat
graphene sheet and the electronic properties of the most stable configurations.
Two types of dislocations are found to be stable: "glide" dislocations
consisting of heptagon-pentagon pairs, and "shuffle" dislocations, an octagon
with a dangling bond. Unlike the most studied case of carbon nanotubes, Stone
Wales defects are unstable in the planar graphene sheet. Similar defects in
which one of the pentagon-heptagon pairs is displaced vertically with respect
to the other one are found to be dynamically stable. Shuffle dislocations will
give rise to local magnetic moments that can provide an alternative route to
magnetism in graphene.


title:
Luminous Infrared Galaxies with the Submillimeter Array: I. Survey
  Overview and the Central Gas to Dust Ratio

abstract:
  We present new data obtained with the Submillimeter Array for a sample of
fourteen nearby luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies. The galaxies were
selected to have luminosity distances D < 200 Mpc and far-infrared luminosities
log(L_FIR) > 11.4. The galaxies were observed with spatial resolutions of order
1 kpc in the CO J=3-2, CO J=2-1, 13CO J=2-1, and HCO+ J=4-3 lines as well as
the continuum at 880 microns and 1.3 mm. We have combined our CO and continuum
data to measure an average gas-to-dust mass ratio of 120 +/- 28 (rms deviation
109) in the central regions of these galaxies, very similar to the value of 150
determined for the Milky Way. This similarity is interesting given the more
intense heating from the starburst and possibly accretion activity in the
luminous infrared galaxies compared to the Milky Way. We find that the peak H_2
surface density correlates with the far-infrared luminosity, which suggests
that galaxies with higher gas surface densities inside the central kiloparsec
have a higher star formation rate. The lack of a significant correlation
between total H_2 mass and far-infrared luminosity in our sample suggests that
the increased star formation rate is due to the increased availability of
molecular gas as fuel for star formation in the central regions. In contrast to
previous analyses by other authors, we do not find a significant correlation
between central gas surface density and the star formation efficiency, as trace
by the ratio of far-infrared luminosity to nuclear gas mass. Our data show that
it is the star formation rate, not the star formation efficiency, that
increases with increasing central gas surface density in these galaxies.


title:
Dependence of vortex phase transitions in mesoscopic BSCCO
  superconductor at tilted magnetic fields

abstract:
  A micron sized single crystal of the superconductor BSCCO was studied using
silicon mechanical micro-oscillators at various tilt angles of the dc magnetic
field with respect to the c axis of the sample. Different phases of the vortex
matter were detected by measuring changes in the value and sign of the
oscillator resonant frequency variation with temperature. We could explain the
change in the sign of this variation at high temperatures as the transition
from the 2D liquid of decoupled pancakes to a reversible 3D vortex lattice. The
data indicates that this transition only depends on the magnetic field
perpendicular to the superconducting layers while the dissipation involved in
this process depends on the component parallel to them.


title: Detection of a Hot Subdwarf Companion to the Be Star FY Canis Majoris

abstract:
  The rapid rotation of Be stars may be caused in some cases by past mass and
angular momentum accretion in an interacting binary in which the mass donor is
currently viewed as a small, hot subdwarf stripped of its outer envelope. Here
we report on the spectroscopic detection of such a subdwarf in the Be binary
system FY Canis Majoris from the analysis of data acquired by the IUE
spacecraft and KPNO Coude Feed Telescope over the course of 16 and 21 years,
respectively. We present a double-lined spectroscopic orbit for the binary
based upon radial velocities from the IUE spectra and use the orbital solutions
with a Doppler tomography algorithm to reconstruct the components' UV spectra.
The subdwarf is hot (T_eff = 45+/-5 kK) and has a mass of about 1.3 M_sun and a
radius of about 0.6 R_sun. It contributes about 4% as much flux as the Be star
does in the FUV. We also present observations of the H-alpha and He I 6678
emission features that are formed in the circumstellar disk of the Be star.
Orbital flux and velocity variations in the He I 6678 profile indicate that
much of the emission forms along the disk rim facing the hot subdwarf where the
disk is probably heated by the incident radiation from the subdwarf. A study of
the FUV infall shell lines discovered in the 1980s confirms their episodic
presence but reveals that they tend to be found around both quadrature phases,
unlike the pattern in Algol binaries. Phase-dependent variations in the UV N V
doublet suggest the presence of a N-enhanced wind from the subdwarf and a
possible shock-interaction region between the stars where the subdwarf's wind
collides with the disk of the Be star.


title:
A frequency-adjustable electromagnet for hyperthermia measurements on
  magnetic nanoparticles

abstract:
  We describe a low-cost and simple setup for hyperthermia measurements on
colloidal solutions of magnetic nanoparticles (ferrofluids) with a
frequency-adjustable magnetic field in the range 5-500 kHz produced by an
electromagnet. By optimizing the general conception and each component (nature
of the wires, design of the electromagnet), a highly efficient setup is
obtained. For instance, in a useful gap of 1.1 cm, a magnetic field of 4.8 mT
is generated at 100 kHz and 500 kHz with an output power of 3.4 W and 75 W,
respectively. A maximum magnetic field of 30 mT is obtained at 100 kHz. The
temperature of the colloidal solution is measured using optical fiber sensors.
To remove contributions due to heating of the electromagnet, a differential
measurement is used. In this configuration the sensitivity is better than 1.5
mW at 100 kHz and 19.3 mT. This setup allows one to measure weak heating powers
on highly diluted colloidal solutions. The hyperthermia characteristics of a
solution of Fe nanoparticles are described, where both the magnetic field and
the frequency dependence of heating power have been measured.


title:
Theoretical investigation of hydrogen storage in metal-intercalated
  graphitic materials

abstract:
  We have used first-principles methods to investigate how metal atoms
dispersed in the interlayer space of graphitic materials affect their
hydrogen-binding properties. We have considered ideal stage-one
metal-intercalated graphites of various compositions as representative model
systems. Our calculations suggest that alkaline earth metals can significantly
enhance the hydrogen storage properties: for example, Be and Mg atoms would act
as binding sites of three or four hydrogen molecules, with binding energies per
H$_2$ in the 0.2--0.7 eV range, as required for applications. We also find that
alkali and transition metals are not as effective in enhancing the storage
capacity.


title: Linear Sigma Model predictions for V->Sgamma and S->Vgamma decays

abstract:
  The radiative decays $V\to S\gamma$ and $S\to V\gamma$ with $V=\rho, \omega,
\phi$ and $S=a_0, \sigma, f_0$ are calculated within the framework of the
Linear Sigma Model. Current experimental data on the $\phi\to f_0\gamma$ and
$\rho\to\sigma\gamma$ branching ratios and the ratio $\Gamma(\phi\to
f_0\gamma)/\Gamma(\phi\to a_0\gamma)$ are satisfactorily accommodated in our
approach. We also estimate the decay widths of the
$f_0,a_0\to\rho\gamma,\omega\gamma$ transitions. All the processes considered
are of interest for ongoing experimental programs in Frascati, J\"ulich and
Novosibirsk.


title:
Stochastic control up to a hitting time: optimality and rolling-horizon
  implementation

abstract:
  We present a dynamic programming-based solution to a stochastic optimal
control problem up to a hitting time for a discrete-time Markov control
process. Firstly, we determine an optimal control policy to steer the process
toward a compact target set while simultaneously minimizing an expected
discounted cost. We then provide a rolling-horizon strategy for approximating
the optimal policy, together with quantitative characterization of its
sub-optimality with respect to the optimal policy. Finally, we address related
issues of asymptotic discount-optimality of the value-iteration policy. Both
the state and action spaces are assumed to be Polish.


title: Asymptotic Uncorrelation for Mexican Needlets

abstract:
  We recall Mexican needlets from [5]. We derive an estimate for certain types
of Legendre series, which we apply to the statistical properties of Mexican
needlets. More precisely, we shall show that, under isotropy and Gaussianity
assumptions, the Mexican needlet coefficients of a random field on the sphere
are asymptotically uncorrelated, as the frequency parameter goes to infinity.
This property is important in the analysis of cosmic microwave background
radiation.


title: Corks, Plugs and exotic structures

abstract:
  We discuss corks, and introduce new objects which we call plugs. Though plugs
are fundamentally different objects, they also detect exotic smooth structures
in 4-manifolds like corks. We discuss relation between corks, plugs and
rational blow-downs. We show how to detect corks and plugs inside of some
exotic manifolds. Furthermore, we construct knotted corks and plugs.


title:
Can the Pioneer anomaly be induced by velocity-dependent forces? Tests
  in the outer regions of solar system with planetary dynamics

abstract:
  In this paper we analyze the impact on the orbital motions of the outer
planets of the solar system from Jupiter to Pluto of some velocity-dependent
forces recently proposed to phenomenologically explain the Pioneer anomaly, and
compare their predictions (secular variations of the longitude of perihelion
\varpi or of the semimajor axis a and the eccentricity e) with the latest
observational determinations by E.V. Pitjeva with the EPM2006 ephemerides. It
turns out that while the predicted centennial shifts of a are so huge that they
would have been easily detected for all planets with the exception of Neptune,
the predicted anomalous precessions of \varpi are too small, with the exception
of Jupiter, so that they are still compatible with the estimated corrections to
the standard Newton-Einstein perihelion precessions. As a consequence, we
incline to discard those extra-forces predicting secular variations of a and e,
also for some other reasons, and to give a chance, at least observationally, to
those models predicting still undetectable perihelion precessions. Of course,
adequate theoretical foundations for them should be found.


title: Nonparametric estimation for an autoregressive model

abstract:
  The paper deals with the nonparametric estimation problem at a given fixed
point for an autoregressive model with unknown distributed noise. Kernel
estimate modifications are proposed. Asymptotic minimax and efficiency
properties for proposed estimators are shown.


title: Two-sided localizations of bimodules

abstract:
  We extend to bimodules Schelter's localization of a ring with respect to
Gabriel filters of left and right ideals. Our two-sided localization of
bimodules provides an endofunctor on a convenient bicategory of rings with
filters of ideals. This is used to study the Picard group of a ring relative to
a filter of ideals.


title: Squaring rectangles for dumbbells

abstract:
  The theorem on squaring a rectangle from a tiling of a quadrilateral (Schramm
and Cannon-Floyd-Parry) gives a combinatorial version of the Riemann mapping
theorem. We elucidate by example (the dumbbell) some of the limitations of
rectangle-squaring as an approximation to the classical Riemamnn mapping.


title:
Randomized Methods for Linear Constraints: Convergence Rates and
  Conditioning

abstract:
  We study randomized variants of two classical algorithms: coordinate descent
for systems of linear equations and iterated projections for systems of linear
inequalities. Expanding on a recent randomized iterated projection algorithm of
Strohmer and Vershynin for systems of linear equations, we show that, under
appropriate probability distributions, the linear rates of convergence (in
expectation) can be bounded in terms of natural linear-algebraic condition
numbers for the problems. We relate these condition measures to distances to
ill-posedness, and discuss generalizations to convex systems under metric
regularity assumptions.


title:
Uniconvergence theorems for Sturm--Liouville operators with potentials
  from Sobolev space $W_2^{-1}[0,\pi]$

abstract:
  We consider a Sturm--Liouville $Ly=-y''+q(x)y$ in space $L_2[0,\pi]$ with
potential from Sobolev space $W_2^{-1}[0,\pi]$. Moreover, we assume, that
$q=u'$, where $u\in L_2[0,\pi]$. We consider Direchlet boundary conditions
$y(0)=y(\pi)=0$, although we can treat a boundary conditions of Sturm type. It
is known, that operators of such class have a discrete spectr with only
accumulation point $+\infty$ and the system $\{y_k\}_1^\infty$ of eigen and
associated functions is a Riesz basis in $L_2[0,\pi]$. Moreover, this basis is
a Hilbert--Schmidt perturbation of the basis $\{sin(kx)\}_1^\infty$. In this
paper we prove the uniconvergence theorem: for any element $f\in L_2[0,\pi]$
the sequence $P_nf-S_nf\to0$ as $n\to\infty$ in $C[0,\pi]$ (here $P_n$ and
$S_n$ are the Riesz projectors to $\{y_k\}_1^n$ and $\{\sin(kt)\}_1^n$
respectively).


title: Classical and relativistic orbital motions around a mass-varying body

abstract:
  I calculate the classical effects induced by an isotropic mass loss of a body
on the orbital motion of a test particle around it; the present analysis is
also valid for a variation of the Newtonian constant of gravitation. I
perturbatively obtain negative secular rates for the osculating semimajor axis,
the eccentricity and the mean anomaly, while the argument of pericenter does
not undergo secular precession; the node and the inclination i remain
unchanged. The anomalistic period is different from the Keplerian one, being
larger than it. The true orbit, instead, expands, as shown by a numerical
integration of the equations of motion in Cartesian coordinates; in fact, this
is in agreement with the seemingly counter-intuitive decreasing of the
semimajor axis and the eccentricity because they refer to the osculating
Keplerian ellipses which approximate the trajectory at each instant. A
comparison with the results obtained with different approaches by other
researchers is made. General relativity induces positive secular rates of the
semimajor axis and the eccentricity completely negligible in the present and
future evolution of the solar system.