title: Lagrangians with Riemann Zeta Function

abstract:
  We consider construction of some Lagrangians which contain the Riemann zeta
function. The starting point in their construction is p-adic string theory.
These Lagrangians describe some nonlocal and nonpolynomial scalar field models,
where nonlocality is controlled by the operator valued Riemann zeta function.
The main motivation for this research is intention to find an effective
Lagrangian for adelic scalar strings.


title: Gravitational Wave Astronomy

abstract:
  As several large scale interferometers are beginning to take data at
sensitivities where astrophysical sources are predicted, the direct detection
of gravitational waves may well be imminent. This would open the
gravitational-wave window to our Universe, and should lead to a much improved
understanding of the most violent processes imaginable; the formation of black
holes and neutron stars following core collapse supernovae and the merger of
compact objects at the end of binary inspiral.


title:
A description of $\alpha $- and $\beta $-relaxation in supercooled
  liquids within the framework of the continuous theory of defects

abstract:
  Supercooled liquid is described in terms of the theory of defected states of
bond orientational order using the continuous theory of defects. It is shown
that the initiation of a local orientation order leads to the breakdown of the
initial SO(3) symmetry of the theory, as a result the plastic deformation
fields of the linear defects become Abelian. The expressions for linear
dislocation and disclination tensor potentials are derived within the framework
of the quasistationary adiabatic approximation. It is shown that $\alpha
$-relaxation and $\beta $-relaxation of supercooled liquid can be described as
relaxation processes in the disclination and dislocation subsystems
accordingly. Disclination topological moment is proposed to use as an order
parameter at the description of glass transition.


title: A Simple Proof of a Conjecture of Simion

abstract:
  Simion had a unimodality conjecture concerning the number of lattice paths in
a rectangular grid with the Ferrers diagram of a partition removed. Hildebrand
recently showed the stronger result that these numbers are log concave. Here we
present a simple proof of Hildebrand's result.


title: MIC: Mutual Information based hierarchical Clustering

abstract:
  Clustering is a concept used in a huge variety of applications. We review a
conceptually very simple algorithm for hierarchical clustering called in the
following the {\it mutual information clustering} (MIC) algorithm. It uses
mutual information (MI) as a similarity measure and exploits its grouping
property: The MI between three objects X, Y, and Z is equal to the sum of the
MI between X and Y, plus the MI between Z and the combined object (XY). We use
MIC both in the Shannon (probabilistic) version of information theory, where
the "objects" are probability distributions represented by random samples, and
in the Kolmogorov (algorithmic) version, where the "objects" are symbol
sequences. We apply our method to the construction of phylogenetic trees from
mitochondrial DNA sequences and we reconstruct the fetal ECG from the output of
independent components analysis (ICA) applied to the ECG of a pregnant woman.


title: Searching for Jets in Heavy Ion Collisions

abstract:
  Jet quenching measurements using leading particles and their correlations
suffer from known biases, which can be removed via direct reconstruction of
jets in central heavy ion collisions. In this talk, we discuss several modern
jet reconstruction algorithms and background subtraction techniques that are
appropriate to heavy ion collisions.


title: Measurement of CP Violation in Stop Cascade Decays at the LHC

abstract:
  We study the potential observation at the LHC of CP-violating effects in stop
production and subsequent cascade decays, g g -> tilde{t}_i tilde{t}_i,
tilde{t}_i -> t tilde{chi}^0_j, tilde{chi}^0_j -> tilde{\chi}^0_1 l^+ l^-,
within the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. We study T-odd asymmetries
based on triple products between the different decay products. There may be a
large CP asymmetry at the parton level, but there is a significant dilution at
the hadronic level after integrating over the parton distribution functions.
Consequently, even for scenarios where large CP intrinsic asymmetries are
expected, the measurable asymmetry is rather small. High luminosity and precise
measurements of masses, branching ratios and CP asymmetries may enable
measurements of the CP-violating parameters in cascade decays at the LHC.


title:
HST observations of the quasar PKS 0637-752: equipartition
  electron-proton jet from the most complete spectral coverage to date

abstract:
  We present new NICMOS and ACS observations of the quasar jet PKS 0637-752,
and we use them, together with existing multiwavelength observations, to
produce the most complete spectral coverage of the source to date. We explore
the implications of these observations in the context of models for the jet
X-ray emission. By relaxing the assumption of equipartition, we undertake an
exhaustive study of the parameter space for external Compton off the CMB
(EC/CMB) model. We find that the multiwavelength observations exclude a
magnetic field dominated jet. Using the method proposed by Georganopoulos et
al. (2005) for probing the jet matter content we show that protons are needed
for practically all jet configurations, extending a previous application of the
method by Uchiyama et al. (2005) that was based on exploring three particular
jet configurations. We also show that equipartition is the only configuration
that can reproduce the observations and have one proton per radiating lepton.
We finally present a rather model - independent argument that the jet has a
spine-sheath flow pattern, with the spine being faster and emitting most of the
IR-optical-X-ray emission.


title:
First Direct Measurement of Jets in $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV Heavy Ion
  Collisions by STAR

abstract:
  We present the first measurement of reconstructed jets in ultra-relativistic
heavy ion collisions. Utilizing the large coverage of the STAR Time Projection
Chamber and Electromagnetic Calorimeter, we apply several modern jet
reconstruction algorithms and background subtraction techniques and explore
their systematic uncertainties in heavy ion events. The differential spectrum
for inclusive jet production in central Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt {s_{NN}}=
200$ GeV is presented. In order to assess the jet reconstruction biases, this
spectrum is compared with the jet cross section measured in $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV
p+p collisions scaled by the number of binary N-N collisions to account for
nuclear geometric effects.


title: Chern-Simons theory on L(p,q) lens spaces and Gopakumar-Vafa duality

abstract:
  We consider aspects of Chern-Simons theory on L(p,q) lens spaces and its
relation with matrix models and topological string theory on Calabi-Yau
threefolds, searching for possible new large N dualities via geometric
transition for non-SU(2) cyclic quotients of the conifold. To this aim we find,
on one hand, some novel matrix integral representations of the SU(N) CS
partition function in a generic flat background for the whole L(p,q) family and
provide a solution for its large N dynamics; on the other, we perform in full
detail the construction of a family of would-be dual closed string backgrounds
via conifold geometric transition from T^*L(p,q). We can then explicitly prove
that Gopakumar-Vafa duality in a fixed vacuum fails in the case q>1, and
briefly discuss how it could be restored in a non-perturbative setting.


title: Broadband amplitude squeezing in a periodically poled KTiOPO_4 waveguide

abstract:
  We generated -2.2 dB of broadband amplitude squeezing at 1064 nm in a
periodically poled KTiOPO_4 (PPKTP) waveguide, by coupling of the fundamental
and second harmonic continuous-wave fields. This is the largest amount of
squeezing obtained to date in a KTP waveguide, limited by propagation losses.
This result paves the way for further improvements by use of lower-loss buried
ion-exchanged waveguides.


title: Correlated continuous time random walks

abstract:
  Continuous time random walks impose a random waiting time before each
particle jump. Scaling limits of heavy tailed continuous time random walks are
governed by fractional evolution equations. Space-fractional derivatives
describe heavy tailed jumps, and the time-fractional version codes heavy tailed
waiting times. This paper develops scaling limits and governing equations in
the case of correlated jumps. For long-range dependent jumps, this leads to
fractional Brownian motion or linear fractional stable motion, with the time
parameter replaced by an inverse stable subordinator in the case of heavy
tailed waiting times. These scaling limits provide an interesting class of
non-Markovian, non-Gaussian self-similar processes.


title:
A genetic algorithm for the atomistic design and global optimisation of
  substitutionally disordered materials

abstract:
  We present a genetic algorithm for the atomistic design and global
optimisation of substitutionally disordered bulk materials and surfaces.
Premature convergence which hamper conventional genetic algorithms due to
problems with synchronisation is avoided using a symmetry adapted crossover.
The algorithm outperforms previously reported Monte Carlo and genetic algorithm
simulations for finding low energy minima of two simple alloy models without
the need for any redesign.


title:
Unique resonant normal forms for area preserving maps at an elliptic
  fixed point

abstract:
  We construct a resonant normal form for an area-preserving map near a generic
resonant elliptic fixed point. The normal form is obtained by a simplification
of a formal interpolating Hamiltonian. The resonant normal form is unique and
therefore provides the formal local classification for area-preserving maps
with the elliptic fixed point. The total number of formal invariants is
infinite. We consider the cases of weak (of order $n\ge5$) and strong (of order
$n=3,4$) resonances. We also construct unique normal forms for analytic
families of area-preserving maps.
  We note that our constructions involve non-linear grading functions.


title: On the First Eigenvalue of Bipartite Graphs

abstract:
  In this paper we study the maximum value of the largest eigenvalue for simple
bipartite graphs, where the number of edges is given and the number of vertices
on each side of the bipartition is given. We state a conjectured solution,
which is an analog of the Brualdi- Hoffman conjecture for general graphs, and
prove the conjecture in some special cases.


title: Raman Topography and Strain Uniformity of Large-Area Epitaxial Graphene

abstract:
  We report results from two-dimensional Raman spectroscopy studies of
large-area epitaxial graphene grown on SiC. Our work reveals unexpectedly large
variation in Raman peak position across the sample resulting from inhomogeneity
in the strain of the graphene film, which we show to be correlated with
physical topography by coupling Raman spectroscopy with atomic force
microscopy. We report that essentially strain free graphene is possible even
for epitaxial graphene.


title:
Modeling the Retention Probability of Black Holes in Globular Clusters:
  Kicks and Rates

abstract:
  We simulate black hole binary interactions to examine the probability of
mergers and black hole growth and gravitational radiation signals using a
specific initial distribution of masses for black holes in globular clusters
and a simple semi-analytic formalism for dynamical interactions. We include
3-body recoil and the latest results in numerical relativity for gravitational
radiation recoil. It is found that while 99% of binaries are ejected from low
metallicity, low mass clusters; metal rich massive clusters retain 5% of their
binaries. An interesting fraction of the ejected binaries, especially those
from high mass, high metallicity systems, merge on timescales short enough to
be gravitational radiation sources during their mergers with rates approaching
those expected for galactic field black hole binaries. While the merger rates
are comparable, the much larger mass of these binaries and their localization
will make them appealing targets for advanced LIGO. We single out two possible
Milky Way clusters (NGC 6441 and NGC 6388) as having the properties for a good
probability of retention.


title: ECOLANG - Communications Language for Ecological Simulations Network

abstract:
  This document describes the communication language used in one multiagent
system environment for ecological simulations, based on EcoDynamo simulator
application linked with several intelligent agents and visualisation
applications, and extends the initial definition of the language. The agents
actions and perceptions are translated into messages exchanged with the
simulator application and other agents. The concepts and definitions used
follow the BNF notation (Backus et al. 1960) and is inspired in the Coach
Unilang language (Reis and Lau 2002).


title:
The 5.25 & 5.7 $\mu$m Astronomical Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon
  Emission Features

abstract:
  Astronomical mid-IR spectra show two minor PAH features at 5.25 and 5.7
$\mu$m (1905 and 1754 cm$^{\rm - 1}$) that hitherto have been little studied,
but contain information about the astronomical PAH population that complements
that of the major emission bands. Here we report a study involving both
laboratory and theoretical analysis of the fundamentals of PAH spectroscopy
that produce features in this region and use these to analyze the astronomical
spectra. The ISO SWS spectra of fifteen objects showing these PAH features were
considered for this study, of which four have sufficient S/N between 5 and 6
$\mu$m to allow for an in-depth analysis. All four astronomical spectra show
similar peak positions and profiles. The 5.25 $\mu$m feature is peaked and
asymmetric, while the 5.7 $\mu$m feature is broader and flatter. Detailed
analysis of the laboratory spectra and quantum chemical calculations show that
the astronomical 5.25 and 5.7 $\mu$m bands are a blend of combination,
difference and overtone bands primarily involving CH stretching and CH in-plane
and CH out-of-plane bending fundamental vibrations. The experimental and
computational spectra show that, of all the hydrogen adjacency classes possible
on PAHs, solo and duo hydrogens consistently produce prominent bands at the
observed positions whereas quartet hydrogens do not. In all, this a study
supports the picture that astronomical PAHs are large with compact, regular
structures. From the coupling with primarily strong CH out-of-plane bending
modes one might surmise that the 5.25 and 5.7 $\mu$m bands track the neutral
PAH population. However, theory suggests the role of charge in these
astronomical bands might also be important.


title: Torus actions on small blow ups of CP^2

abstract:
  A manifold obtained by k simultaneous symplectic blow-ups of CP^2 of equal
sizes epsilon (where the size of CP^1 in CP^2 is one) admits an effective
two-dimensional torus action if k <= 3. We show that it does not admit such an
action if k >=4 and epsilon <= 1/(3k 2^{2k}). For the proof, we correspond
between the geometry of a symplectic toric four-manifold and the combinatorics
of its moment map image. We also use techniques from the theory of
J-holomorphic curves.


title:
Spin selective Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in a lateral triple quantum
  dot

abstract:
  We present a theory for spin selective Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in a
lateral triple quantum dot. We show that to understand the Aharonov-Bohm (AB)
effect in an interacting electron system within a triple quantum dot molecule
(TQD) where the dots lie in a ring configuration requires one to not only
consider electron charge but also spin. Using a Hubbard model supported by
microscopic calculations we show that, by localizing a single electron spin in
one of the dots, the current through the TQD molecule depends not only on the
flux but also on the relative orientation of the spin of the incoming and
localized electrons. AB oscillations are predicted only for the spin singlet
electron complex resulting in a magnetic field tunable "spin valve".


title:
Developments on the congruence subgroup problem after the work of Bass,
  Milnor and Serre

abstract:
  In this survey article we give an overview of the developments on the
congruence subgroup and the metaplectic problems after the work of Bass, Milnor
and Serre.


title: Thin-shell wormholes in Brans-Dicke gravity

abstract:
  Spherically symmetric thin-shell wormholes are constructed within the
framework of Brans-Dicke gravity. It is shown that, for appropriate values of
the Brans-Dicke constant, these wormholes can be supported by matter satisfying
the energy conditions.


title: Single production of excited spin-3/2 neutrinos at linear colliders

abstract:
  We study the potential of future high energy e+e- colliders to probe excited
neutrino signals in different channels coming from the single production
process via gauge interactions. We calculate the production cross section,
decay widths and branching ratios of excited spin-3/2 neutrinos according to
their effective currents and we compare them with that of the spin-1/2 ones.
The signals and corresponding backgrounds are examined in detail to get
accessible limits on the masses and couplings of excited spin-3/2 neutrinos.


title: Turbulent Convection in Stellar Interiors. II. The Velocity Field

abstract:
  We analyze stellar convection with the aid of 3D hydrodynamic simulations,
introducing the turbulent cascade into our theoretical analysis. We devise
closures of the Reynolds-decomposed mean field equations by simple physical
modeling of the simulations (we relate temperature and density fluctuations via
coefficients); the procedure (CABS, Convection Algorithms Based on Simulations)
is terrestrially testable and is amenable to systematic improvement. We develop
a turbulent kinetic energy equation which contains both nonlocal and time
dependent terms, and is appropriate if the convective transit time is shorter
than the evolutionary time scale. The interpretation of mixing-length theory
(MLT) as generally used in astrophysics is incorrect; MLT forces the mixing
length to be an imposed constant. Direct tests show that the damping associated
with the flow is that suggested by Kolmogorov. The eddy size is approximately
the depth of the convection zone, and this dissipation length corresponds to
the "mixing length". New terms involving local heating by turbulent dissipation
should appear in the stellar evolution equations. The enthalpy flux
("convective luminosity") is directly connected to the buoyant acceleration,
and hence the velocity scale. MLT tends to systematically underestimate this
velocity scale. Quantitative comparison with a variety of 3D simulations
reveals a previously recognized consistency. Examples of application to stellar
evolution will be presented in subsequent papers in this series.


title: Rank one Z^d actions and directional entropy

abstract:
  We study the directional entropy of rank one Z^d actions. We show that if the
sequence of towers generating the action are rectangular in shape, then there
is always a direction along which the directional entropy is zero. If the
rectangles satisfy a "sub-exponential growth" condition, then we show that the
directional entropy is zero in every direction.


title: Dynamical Lorentz symmetry breaking in 3D and charge fractionalization

abstract:
  We analyze the breaking of Lorentz invariance in a 3D model of fermion fields
self-coupled through four-fermion interactions. The low-energy limit of the
theory contains various sub-models which are similar to those used in the study
of the graphene or in the description of irrational charge fractionalization.


title:
Modeling molecular and ionic absolute solvation free energies with
  quasi-chemical theory bounds

abstract:
  A recently developed statistical mechanical Quasi-Chemical Theory (QCT) has
led to significant insights into solvation phenomena for both hydrophilic and
hydrophobic solutes. The QCT exactly partitions solvation free energies into
three components: 1) inner-shell chemical, 2) outer-shell packing, and 3)
outer-shell long-ranged contributions. In this paper, we discuss efficient
methods for computing each of the three parts of the free energy. A Bayesian
estimation approach is developed to compute the inner-shell chemical and
outer-shell packing contributions. We derive upper and lower bounds on the
outer-shell long-ranged portion of the free energy by expressing this component
in two equivalent ways. Local, high energy contacts between solute and solvent
are eliminated by spatial conditioning in this free energy piece, leading to
near-Gaussian distributions of solute-solvent interactions energies. Thus, the
average of the two mean-field bounds yields an accurate and efficient free
energy estimate. Aqueous solvation free energy results are presented for
several solutes, including methane, perfluoromethane, water, and the sodium and
chloride ions. The results demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the
methods. The approach should prove useful in computing solvation free energies
in inhomogeneous, restricted environments.


title:
Finite Volume Study of the Delta Magnetic Moments Using Dynamical Clover
  Fermions

abstract:
  We calculate the magnetic dipole moment of the Delta baryon using a
background magnetic field on 2+1-flavors of clover fermions on anisotropic
lattices. We focus on the finite volume effects that can be significant in
background field studies, and thus we use two different spatial volumes in
addition to several quark masses.


title:
Correlated connectivity and the distribution of firing rates in the
  neocortex

abstract:
  Two recent experimental observations pose a challenge to many cortical
models. First, the activity in the auditory cortex is sparse, and firing rates
can be described by a lognormal distribution. Second, the distribution of
non-zero synaptic strengths between nearby cortical neurons can also be
described by a lognormal distribution. Here we use a simple model of cortical
activity to reconcile these observations. The model makes the experimentally
testable prediction that synaptic efficacies onto a given cortical neuron are
statistically correlated, i.e. it predicts that some neurons receive many more
strong connections than other neurons. We propose a simple Hebb-like learning
rule which gives rise to both lognormal firing rates and synaptic efficacies.
Our results represent a first step toward reconciling sparse activity and
sparse connectivity in cortical networks.


title: Schr\"odinger's pure-state steering completed

abstract:
  Schroedinger investigated entanglement in two-particle state vectors by
assuming measurement finding out if the nearby particle is in a given state
vector or not. Without interaction with the distant particle, just on account
of the entanglement, the distant particle is steered into a certain state
vector. In Schroedinger's finite-dimensional case thus any distant-particle
state vector can be reached. This theory was extended to infinite-dimensional
spaces by the author. The present article completes the extension by throwing
light on the fine structure of steering.


title: Analyticity for Multi-Regge Limits of the Bern-Dixon-Smirnov Amplitudes

abstract:
  As a consequence of the AdS/CFT correspondence, planar ${\cal N} =4$ super
Yang-Mills SU(N) theory is expected to exhibit stringy behavior and multi-Regge
asymptotic. In this paper we extend our recent investigation to consider issues
of analyticity, a central feature of Regge asymptotics. We contrast flat-space
open string theory in the planar limit with the ${\cal N}=4$ super Yang-Mills
theory, as represented by the Bern, Dixon and Smirnov \cite{Bern:2005iz} (BDS)
conjecture for n-gluon scattering, believed to be exact for $n=4,5$ and
modified only by a function of cross-ratios for $n\geq 6$. It is emphasized
that multi-Regge factorization should be applied to trajectories with definite
signature. A variety of analyticity and factorization constraints realized in
flat space string theory are not satisfied by the BDS conjecture, at least when
the exponential factors are truncate in the infra-red regulator below
$O(\epsilon)$.


title: rf Breakdown with and without External Magnetic Fields

abstract:
  Neutrino Factories and Muon Colliders' cooling lattices require both high
gradient rf and strong focusing solenoids. Experiments have shown that there
may be serious problems operating rf in the required magnetic fields. The use
of high pressure gas to avoid these problems is discussed, including possible
loss problems from electron and ion production by the passage of an ionizing
beam. It is also noted that high pressure gas cannot be used in later stages of
cooling for a muon collider. Experimental observations using vacuum rf cavities
in magnetic fields are discussed, current published models of breakdown with
and without magnetic fields are summarized, and some of their predictions
compared with observations.
  A new theory of magnetic field dependent breakdown is presented. It is
proposed that electrons emitted by field emission on asperities on one side of
a cavity are focused by the magnetic field to the other side where they melt
the cavity surface in small spots. Metal is then electrostatically drawn from
the molten spots, becomes vaporized and ionized by field emission from the
remaining damage and cause breakdown. The theory is fitted to existing 805 MHz
data and predictions are made for performance at 201 MHz. The model predicts
breakdown gradients significantly below those specified for either the
International Scoping Study (ISS) Neutrino Factory or a Muon Collider.
  Possible solutions to these problems are discussed, including designs for
`magnetically insulated rf' in which the cavity walls are designed to be
parallel to a chosen magnetic field contour line and consequently damage from
field emission is suppressed. An experimental program to study these problems
and their possible solution is outlined.


title: Printed Graphene Circuits

abstract:
  we have fabricated transparent electronic devices based on graphene materials
with thickness down to one single atomic layer by the transfer printing method.
The resulting printed graphene devices retain high field effect mobility and
have low contact resistance. The results show that the transfer printing method
is capable of high-quality transfer of graphene materials from silicon dioxide
substrates, and the method thus will have wide applications in manipulating and
delivering graphene materials to desired substrate and device geometries. Since
the method is purely additive, it exposes graphene (or other functional
materials) to no chemical preparation or lithographic steps, providing greater
experimental control over device environment for reproducibility and for
studies of fundamental transport mechanisms. Finally, the transport properties
of the graphene devices on the PET substrate demonstrate the non-universality
of minimum conductivity and the incompleteness of the current transport theory.


title: Weak subconvexity for central values of $L$-functions

abstract:
  We describe a general method to obtain weak subconvexity bounds for many
classes of $L$-functions. This has applications to a conjecture of Rudnick and
Sarnak for the mass equidistribution of Hecke eigenforms (see
arxiv.org:math/0809.1636).


title: Mass equidistribution for Hecke eigenforms

abstract:
  We prove a conjecture of Rudnick and Sarnak on the mass equidistribution of
Hecke eigenforms. This builds upon independent work of the authors see
arxiv.org:math/0809.1640 and arxiv.org:math/0809.1635.


title: Finding the Higgs Boson through Supersymmetry

abstract:
  The study of displaced vertices containing two b--jets may provide a double
discovery at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC): we show how it may not only
reveal evidence for supersymmetry, but also provide a way to uncover the Higgs
boson necessary in the formulation of the electroweak theory in a large region
of the parameter space. We quantify this explicitly using the simplest minimal
supergravity model with bilinear breaking of R-parity, which accounts for the
observed pattern of neutrino masses and mixings seen in neutrino oscillation
experiments.


title: Supersymmetric Adler-Bardeen anomaly in N=1 super-Yang-Mills theories

abstract:
  We provide a study of the supersymmetric Adler--Bardeen anomaly in the $\N=1,
d=4,6,10$ super-Yang--Mills theories. We work in the component formalism that
includes shadow fields, for which Slavnov--Taylor identities can be
independently set for both gauge invariance and supersymmetry. We find a method
with improved descent equations for getting the solutions of the consistency
conditions of both Slavnov--Taylor identities and finding the local field
polynomials for the standard Adler--Bardeen anomaly and its supersymmetric
counterpart. We give the explicit solution for the ten-dimensional case.


title:
Experimental Validation of Simplified Free Jet Turbulence Models Applied
  to the Vocal Tract

abstract:
  Sound production due to turbulence is widely shown to be an important
phenomenon involved in a.o. fricatives, singing, whispering and speech
pathologies. In spite of its relevance turbulent flow is not considered in
classical physical speech production models mostly dealing with voiced sound
production. The current study presents preliminary results of an experimental
validation of simplified turbulence models in order to estimate the time-mean
velocity distribution in a free jet downstream of a tube outlet. Aiming a
future application in speech production the influence of typical vocal tract
shape parameters on the velocity distribution is experimentally and
theoretically explored: the tube shape, length and the degree and geometry of
the constriction. Simplified theoretical predictions are obtained by applying
similarity solutions of the bidimensional boundary layer theory to a plane and
circular free jet in still air. The orifice velocity and shape are the main
model input quantities. Results are discussed with respect to the upper airways
and human sound production.


title: Sieving for mass equidistribution

abstract:
  We approach the holomorphic analogue to the Quantum Unique Ergodicity
conjecture through an application of the Large Sieve. We deal with shifted
convolution sums as in ([Ho], arXiv:0809.1669), with various simplifications in
our analysis due to the knowledge of the Ramanujan-Petersson conjecture in this
holomorphic case.


title:
Kinematic in $SU(2,2)\simeq O(2,4)$ alternative world (observable
  coordinates and impulses representation)

abstract:
  The matrix elements connected non physic angles space representation with the
space of physic observables of alternative O(2,4) world found on explicit form.
All such matrix elements are represented in terms of solutions of Gauss
hypergeometric equations. From these results wave function of free moving
particle in alternative world may be constructed. Definite relations between
micro and macro label variables are presented.


title: Water, O2 and Ice in Molecular Clouds

abstract:
  We model the temperature and chemical structure of molecular clouds as a
function of depth into the cloud, assuming a cloud of constant density n
illuminated by an external FUV (6 eV < E < 13.6 eV) flux G_0 (scaling factor in
multiples of the local interstellar field). Extending previous
photodissociation region models, we include the freezing of species, simple
grain surface chemistry, and desorption (including FUV photodesorption) of
ices. We also treat the opaque cloud interior with time-dependent chemistry.
Here, under certain conditions, gas phase elemental oxygen freezes out as water
ice and the elemental C/O abundance ratio can exceed unity, leading to complex
carbon chemistry. Gas phase H2O and O2 peak in abundance at intermediate depth
into the cloud, roughly A_V~3-8 from the surface, the depth proportional to
ln(G_0/n). Closer to the surface, molecules are photodissociated. Deeper into
the cloud, molecules freeze to grain surfaces. At intermediate depths
photodissociation rates are attenuated by dust extinction, but photodesorption
prevents total freezeout. For G_0 < 500, abundances of H2O and O2 peak at
values ~10^(-7), producing columns ~10^(15) per cm^2, independent of G_0 and n.
The peak abundances depend primarily on the product of the photodesorption
yield of water ice and the grain surface area per H nucleus. At higher values
of G_0, thermal desorption of O atoms from grains enhances the gas phase H2O
peak abundance and column slightly, whereas the gas phase O2 peak abundance
rises to ~10^(-5) and the column to ~2x10^(16) per cm^2. We present simple
analytic equations for the abundances as a function of depth which clarify the
dependence on parameters. The models are applied to observations of H2O, O2,
and water ice in a number of sources, including B68, NGC 2024, and Rho Oph.


title:
New Iterative Methods for Interpolation, Numerical Differentiation and
  Numerical Integration

abstract:
  Through introducing a new iterative formula for divided differnce using
Neville's and Aitken's algorithms,we study new iterative methods for
interpolation,numerical differentiation and numerical integration formulas with
arbitrary order of accuracy for evanly or unevanly spaced data. Basic computer
algorithms for new methods are given


title: Computing with Classical Real Numbers

abstract:
  There are two incompatible Coq libraries that have a theory of the real
numbers; the Coq standard library gives an axiomatic treatment of classical
real numbers, while the CoRN library from Nijmegen defines constructively valid
real numbers. Unfortunately, this means results about one structure cannot
easily be used in the other structure. We present a way interfacing these two
libraries by showing that their real number structures are isomorphic assuming
the classical axioms already present in the standard library reals. This allows
us to use O'Connor's decision procedure for solving ground inequalities present
in CoRN to solve inequalities about the reals from the Coq standard library,
and it allows theorems from the Coq standard library to apply to problem about
the CoRN reals.


title:
Metallicity Analysis of MACHO Galactic Bulge RR0 Lyrae stars from their
  Lightcurves

abstract:
  We present metallicities of 2690 RR0 Lyrae stars observed toward the MACHO
Survey fields in the Galactic Bulge. These [Fe/H] values are based upon an
empirically calibrated relationship that uses the Fourier coefficients of the
light curve and are accurate to ~0.2 dex. The majority of the RR0 Lyrae stars
in our sample are located in the Galactic Bulge, but 255 RR0 stars are
associated with Sagittarius dwarf galaxy. We find that the RR0 Lyrae stars that
belong to the Galactic Bulge have average metallicities [Fe/H] = -1.25, with a
broad metallicity range from [Fe/H] = -2.26 to -0.15. The RR0 stars from
Sagittarius dwarf galaxy have lower average metallicity of [Fe/H] = -1.55 \pm
0.02, with an intrinsic dispersion of 0.25 dex, similar to that in the bulge. A
correlation between metallicity and galactocentric distance is found, in a
sense that for the metal-poor RR0 Lyrae stars ([Fe/H]< -1.5 dex), the closer a
star is to the Galactic center, on average, the more metal rich it is. However,
for the metal-rich RR0 Lyrae stars ([Fe/H] > -1.2 dex), this trend is reversed.
Using mean magnitudes of MACHO RR Lyrae stars, we searched for the evidence of
the Galactic bar, and found marginal evidence of a bar. The absence of a strong
bar indicates that the RR Lyrae in the bulge represent a different population
than the majority of the bulge stars, which are metal rich and are part of a
bar.


title:
Search for Point Sources of High Energy Neutrinos with Final Data from
  AMANDA-II

abstract:
  We present a search for point sources of high energy neutrinos using 3.8
years of data recorded by AMANDA-II during 2000-2006. After reconstructing muon
tracks and applying selection criteria designed to optimally retain
neutrino-induced events originating in the Northern Sky, we arrive at a sample
of 6595 candidate events, predominantly from atmospheric neutrinos with primary
energy 100 GeV to 8 TeV. Our search of this sample reveals no indications of a
neutrino point source. We place the most stringent limits to date on $E^{-2}$
neutrino fluxes from points in the Northern Sky, with an average upper limit of
$E^{2}\Phi_{\nu_{\mu} + \nu_{\tau}} \le$ 5.2 $\times$ 10$^{-11}$ TeV cm$^{-2}$
s$^{-1}$ on the sum of $\nu_{\mu}$ and $\nu_{\tau}$ fluxes, assumed equal, over
the energy range from 1.9 TeV to 2.5 PeV.


title: Quark Masses: An Environmental Impact Statement

abstract:
  We investigate worlds that lie on a slice through the parameter space of the
Standard Model over which quark masses vary. We allow as many as three quarks
to participate in nuclei, while fixing the mass of the electron and the average
mass of the lightest baryon flavor multiplet. We classify as "congenial" worlds
that satisfy the environmental constraint that the quark masses allow for
stable nuclei with charges one, six, and eight, making organic chemistry
possible. Whether a congenial world actually produces observers depends on a
multitude of historical contingencies, beginning with primordial
nucleosynthesis, which we do not explore. Such constraints may be independently
superimposed on our results. Environmental constraints such as the ones we
study may be combined with information about the a priori distribution of quark
masses over the landscape of possible universes to determine whether the
measured values of the quark masses are determined environmentally, but our
analysis is independent of such an anthropic approach.
  We estimate baryon masses as functions of quark masses and nuclear masses as
functions of baryon masses. We check for the stability of nuclei against
fission, strong particle emission, and weak nucleon emission. For two light
quarks with charges 2/3 and -1/3, we find a band of congeniality roughly 29 MeV
wide in their mass difference. We also find another, less robust region of
congeniality with one light, charge -1/3 quark, and two heavier, approximately
degenerate charge -1/3 and 2/3 quarks. No other assignment of light quark
charges yields congenial worlds with two baryons participating in nuclei. We
identify and discuss the region in quark-mass space where nuclei would be made
from three or more baryon species.


title:
Discovery of an Unusual Optical Transient with the Hubble Space
  Telescope

abstract:
  We present observations of SCP 06F6, an unusual optical transient discovered
during the Hubble Space Telescope Cluster Supernova Survey. The transient
brightened over a period of ~100 days, reached a peak magnitude of ~21.0 in
both i_775 and z_850, and then declined over a similar timescale. There is no
host galaxy or progenitor star detected at the location of the transient to a 3
sigma upper limit of i_775 = 26.4 and z_850 = 26.1, giving a corresponding
lower limit on the flux increase of a factor of ~120. Multiple spectra show
five broad absorption bands between 4100 AA and 6500 AA and a mostly
featureless continuum longward of 6500 AA. The shape of the lightcurve is
inconsistent with microlensing. The transient's spectrum, in addition to being
inconsistent with all known supernova types, is not matched to any spectrum in
the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) database. We suggest that the transient may
be one of a new class.


title:
The Sensitivity of SNO+ to $\Delta m_{12}^{2}$ Using Reactor
  Anti-neutrino Data

abstract:
  Insofar as the detection of anti-neutrinos from nuclear reactors is
concerned, the SNO+ detector -- a 1 kilo-tonne liquid scintillator detector
that inherits the experimental infrastructure from the recently finished SNO
experiment -- is expected to perform just as well as the KamLAND experiment.
The most important difference between these experiments is the distribution of
nuclear reactors: whereas KamLAND has 9 nuclear reactor sites within 300 km
with a flux-averaged baseline of about 180 km, SNO+ has only 1 within 300 km,
with an average baseline of $\approx 750$ km. As a result, the reactor
anti-neutrino flux at SNO+ is only about 1/5 that at KamLAND, and the ability
of SNO+ to constrain the solar neutrino oscillation parameter is diminished by
a factor of about $\sqrt{1/5} = 1/2.2$ relative to KamLAND. In spite of this,
SNO+ has comparable sensitivity to $\Delta m^{2}_{12}$ as KamLAND because the
rate of change of the spectral distortion as a function of this parameter is
much greater than for KamLAND. In this report, this advantage is examined
quantitatively using a geometric approximation that makes clear how the shape
from SNO+ has more statistical power than that from KamLAND. This result then
is confirmed by determining the sensitivity to $\Delta m^{2}_{12}$ using an
ensemble experiment technique.


title: Octonions, G_2 and generalized Lie 3-algebras

abstract:
  We construct an explicit example of a generalized Lie 3-algebra from the
octonions. In combination with the result of arXiv:0807.0808, this gives rise
to a three-dimensional N=2 Chern-Simons-matter theory with exceptional gauge
group G_2 and with global symmetry SU(4)\times U(1). This gives a possible
candidate for the theory on multiple M2-branes with G_2 gauge symmetry.


title:
The Signature of the Ice Line and Modest Type I Migration in the
  Observed Exoplanet Mass-Semimajor Axis Distribution

abstract:
  Existing exoplanet radial velocity surveys are complete in the planetary
mass-semimajor axis (Mp-a) plane over the range 0.1 AU < a < 2.0 AU where Mp >~
100 M_Earth. We marginalize over mass in this complete domain of parameter
space and demonstrate that the observed semimajor axis distribution is
inconsistent with models of planet formation that use the full Type I migration
rate derived from a linear theory and that do not include the effect of the ice
line on the disk surface density profile. However, the efficiency of Type I
migration can be suppressed by both nonlinear feedback and the barriers
introduced by local maxima in the disk pressure distribution, and we confirm
that the synthesized Mp-a distribution is compatible with the observed data if
we account for both retention of protoplanetary embryos near the ice line and
an order-of-magnitude reduction in the efficiency of Type I migration. The
validity of these assumption can be checked because they also predict a
population of short-period rocky planets with a range of masses comparable to
that of the Earth as well as a "desert" in the Mp-a distribution centered
around Mp ~ 30-50 M_Earth and a < 1 AU. We show that the expected "desert" in
the Mp-a plane will be discernible by a radial velocity survey with 1 m/s
precision and n ~ 700 radial velocity observations of program stars.


title:
Stability and structure of analytical MHD jet formation models with a
  finite outer disk radius

abstract:
  (Abridged) Finite radius accretion disks are a strong candidate for launching
astrophysical jets from their inner parts and disk-winds are considered as the
basic component of such magnetically collimated outflows. The only available
analytical MHD solutions for describing disk-driven jets are those
characterized by the symmetry of radial self-similarity. Radially self-similar
MHD models, in general, have two geometrical shortcomings, a singularity at the
jet axis and the non-existence of an intrinsic radial scale, i.e. the jets
formally extend to radial infinity. Hence, numerical simulations are necessary
to extend the analytical solutions towards the axis and impose a physical
boundary at finite radial distance. We focus here on studying the effects of
imposing an outer radius of the underlying accreting disk (and thus also of the
outflow) on the topology, structure and variability of a radially self-similar
analytical MHD solution. The initial condition consists of a hybrid of an
unchanged and a scaled-down analytical solution, one for the jet and the other
for its environment. In all studied cases, we find at the end steady
two-component solutions.


title: Dark Matter from R^2-gravity

abstract:
  The modification of Einstein gravity at high energies is mandatory from a
quantum approach. In this work, we point out that this modification will
necessarily introduce new degrees of freedom. We analyze the possibility that
these new gravitational states can provide the main contribution to the
non-baryonic dark matter of the Universe. Unfortunately, the right ultraviolet
completion of gravity is still unresolved. For this reason, we will illustrate
this idea with the simplest high energy modification of the Einstein-Hilbert
action: R^2-gravity.


title: Intrinsically Red Sources observed by Spitzer in the Galactic Mid-Plane

abstract:
  We present a highly reliable flux-limited census of 18,949 point sources in
the Galactic mid-plane that have intrinsically red mid-infrared colors. These
sources were selected from the Spitzer Space Telescope GLIMPSE I and II surveys
of 274 deg^2 of the Galactic mid-plane, and consist mostly of high- and
intermediate- mass young stellar objects (YSOs) and asymptotic giant branch
(AGB) stars. The selection criteria were carefully chosen to minimize the
effects of position- dependent sensitivity, saturation, and confusion. The
distribution of sources on the sky and their location in IRAC and MIPS 24
microns color-magnitude and color-color space are presented. Using this large
sample, we find that YSOs and AGB stars can be mostly separated by simple
color-magnitude selection criteria into approximately 50-70% of YSOs and 30-50%
of AGB stars. Planetary nebulae and background galaxies together represent at
most 2-3% of all the red sources. 1,004 red sources in the GLIMPSE II region,
mostly AGB stars with high mass- loss rates, show significant (>0.3 mag)
variability at 4.5 and/or 8.0 microns. With over 11,000 likely YSOs and over
7,000 likely AGB stars, this is to date the largest uniform census of AGB stars
and high- and intermediate mass YSOs in the Milky-Way Galaxy.


title: Nonlinear $\sigma$-Model in (2+1) dimensions

abstract:
  The nonlinear $\sigma$-model in (2+1) dimensions admits topological
configurations called skyrmions. The topological charge of skyrmions turn out
to be the fermionic number and the fermionic current is dictated by the
skyrmion field configuration. The peculiar feature of this model is that a Hopf
term introduced into the Lagrangian can lead to exotic spin and fractional
statistics.


title: Eigenvalues of harmonic almost submersions

abstract:
  Maps between Riemannian manifolds which are submersions on a dense subset,
are studied by means of the eigenvalues of the pull-back of the target metrics,
the first fundamental form. Expressions for the derivatives of these
eigenvalues yield characterizations of harmonicity, totally geodesic maps and
biconformal changes of metric preserving harmonicity. A Schwarz lemma for
pseudo harmonic morphisms is proved, using the dilatation of the eigenvalues
and, in dimension five, a Bochner technique method, involving the Laplacian of
the difference of the eigenvalues, gives conditions forcing pseudo harmonic
morphisms to be harmonic morphisms.


title:
Magnetic Properties of Ni-Fe Nanowire Arrays: Effect of Template
  Material and Deposition Conditions

abstract:
  The objective of this work is to study the magnetic properties of arrays of
Ni-Fe nanowires electrodeposited in different template materials such as porous
silicon, polycarbonate and alumina. Magnetic properties were studied as a
function of template material, applied magnetic field (parallel and
perpendicular) during deposition, wire length, as well as magnetic field
orientation during measurement. The results show that application of magnetic
field during deposition strongly influences the c-axis preferred orientation
growth of Ni-Fe nanowires. The samples with magnetic field perpendicular to
template plane during deposition exhibits strong perpendicular anisotropy with
greatly enhanced coercivity and squareness ratio, particularly in Ni-Fe
nanowires deposited in polycarbonate templates. In case of polycarbonate
template, as magnetic field during deposition increases, both coercivity and
squareness ratio also increase. The wire length dependence was also measured
for polycarbonate templates. As wire length increases, coercivity and
squareness ratio decrease, but saturation field increases. Such magnetic
behavior (dependence on template material, magnetic field, wire length) can be
qualitatively explained by preferential growth phenomena, dipolar interactio


title: The Planck Scale from Top Condensation

abstract:
  We propose a scenario in which the Planck scale is dynamically linked to the
electroweak scale induced by top condensation. The standard model field
content, without the Higgs, is promoted to a 5D warped background. There is
also an additional 5D fermion with the quantum numbers of the right-handed top.
Localization of the zero-modes leads, at low energies, to a Nambu-Jona-Lasinio
model that also stabilizes the radion field dynamically thus explaining the
hierarchy between the Planck scale and v_EW = 174 GeV. The top mass arises
dynamically from the electroweak breaking condensate. The other standard model
fermion masses arise naturally from higher-dimension operators, and the fermion
mass hierarchies and flavor structure can be explained from the localization of
the zero-modes in the extra dimension. If any other contributions to the radion
potential except those directly related with electroweak symmetry breaking are
engineered to be suppressed, the KK scale is predicted to be about two orders
of magnitude above the electroweak scale rendering the model easily consistent
with electroweak precision data. The model predicts a heavy (composite) Higgs
with a mass of about 500 GeV and standard-model-like properties, and a
vector-like quark with non-negligible mixing with the top quark and mass in the
1.6 - 2.9 TeV range. Both can be within the reach of the LHC. It also predicts
a radion with a mass of a few GeV that is very weakly coupled to standard model
matter.


title: A Tiered Security System for Mobile Devices

abstract:
  We have designed a tiered security system for mobile devices where each
security tier holds user-defined security triggers and actions. It has a
friendly interface that allows users to easily define and configure the
different circumstances and actions they need according to context. The system
can be set up and activated from any browser or directly on the mobile device
itself. When the security system is operated from a Web site or server, its
configuration can be readily shared across multiple devices. When operated
directly from the mobile device, no server is needed for activation. Many
different types of security circumstances and actions can be set up and
employed from its tiers. Security circumstances can range from temporary
misplacement of a mobile device at home to malicious theft in a hostile region.
Security actions can range from ringing a simple alarm to automatically
erasing, overwriting, and re-erasing drives.


title: Thermalization process in bare and dressed coordinate approaches

abstract:
  We consider a particle in the approximation of a harmonic oscillator, coupled
linearly to a field modeling an environment. The field is described by an
infinite set of harmonic oscillators, and the system (particle--field) is
considered in a cavity at thermal equilibrium. We employ the notions of bare
and dressed coordinates to study the time evolution of the occupation number.
With dressed coordinates no renormalization procedure is required, leading
directly to a finite result. In particular, for a large time, the occupation
number of the particle becomes independent of its initial value. So we have a
Markovian process, describing the particle thermalization with the environment.


title:
The Red Sequence Luminosity Function in Massive Intermediate Redshift
  Galaxy Clusters

abstract:
  We measure the rest-frame B-band luminosity function of red-sequence galaxies
(RSLF) of five intermediate-redshift (0.5 < z < 0.9), high-mass (sigma > 950
km/s) clusters. Cluster galaxies are identified through photometric redshifts
based on imaging in seven bands (five broad, and two narrow) using the WIYN
3.5m telescope. The luminosity functions are well-fit down to M_B^*+3 for all
of the clusters out to a radius of R_200. For comparison, the luminosity
functions for a sample of 59 low redshift clusters selected from the SDSS are
measured as well. There is a brightening trend (M_B^* increases by 0.7 mags by
z=0.75) with redshift comparable to what is seen in the field for similarly
defined galaxies, although there is a hint that the cluster red-sequence
brightening is more rapid in the past (z>0.5), and relatively shallow at more
recent times. Contrary to other claims, we find little evidence for evolution
of the faint end slope. Previous indications of evolution may be due to
limitations in measurement technique, bias in the sample selection, and cluster
to cluster variation. As seen in both the low and high redshift sample, a
significant amount of variation in luminosity functions parameters alpha and
M^* exists between individual clusters.


title: On the Cauchy problem for the debar operator

abstract:
  We present new results concerning the solvability, of lack thereof, in the
Cauchy problem for the debar operator, with initial values assigned on a weakly
pseudoconvex hypersurface, and provide illustrative examples.


title: Laser frequency combs for astronomical observations

abstract:
  A direct measurement of the universe's expansion history could be made by
observing in real time the evolution of the cosmological redshift of distant
objects. However, this would require measurements of Doppler velocity drifts of
about 1 centimeter per second per year, and astronomical spectrographs have not
yet been calibrated to this tolerance. We demonstrate the first use of a laser
frequency comb for wavelength calibration of an astronomical telescope. Even
with a simple analysis, absolute calibration is achieved with an equivalent
Doppler precision of approximately 9 meters per second at about 1.5 micrometers
- beyond state-of-the-art accuracy. We show that tracking complex, time-varying
systematic effects in the spectrograph and detector system is a particular
advantage of laser frequency comb calibration. This technique promises an
effective means for modeling and removal of such systematic effects to the
accuracy required by future experiments to see direct evidence of the
universe's putative acceleration.


title:
New Observations and a Possible Detection of Parameter Variations in the
  Transits of Gliese 436b

abstract:
  We present ground-based observations of the transiting Neptune-mass planet Gl
436b obtained with the 3.5-meter telescope at Apache Point Observatory and
other supporting telescopes. Included in this is an observed transit in early
2005, over two years before the earliest reported transit detection. We have
compiled all available transit data to date and perform a uniform modeling
using the JKTEBOP code. We do not detect any transit timing variations of
amplitude greater than ~1 minute over the ~3.3 year baseline. We do however
find possible evidence for a self-consistent trend of increasing orbital
inclination, transit width, and transit depth, which supports the supposition
that Gl 436b is being perturbed by another planet of < 12 Earth Masses in a
non-resonant orbit.


title:
XMM-Newton View of the Multi-Phase Warm Absorber in Seyfert 1 Galaxy
  NGC985

abstract:
  We present an analysis of an XMM-Newton observation of the Seyfert 1 Galaxy
NGC 985. The EPIC spectra present strong residuals to a single power-law model,
indicating the presence of ionized absorbing gas and a soft excess. A
broad-band fit to the EPIC and RGS spectra shows that the continuum can be well
fit with a power-law and a blackbody component. The RGS can be modeled either
with two or three absorption components. In the two absorber model the
low-ionization one, accounts for the presence of the Fe M-shell unresolved
transition array (Fe VII-XIII), and the high ionization component is required
by the presence of several Fe L-shell transitions. The data suggest the
presence of a third ionized component with higher ionization, so that the Fe
L-shell absorption features are produced by two different components (one
producing absorption by Fe XVII-XX, and the other absorption by Fe XX-XXII).
However, the presence of the third absorbing component cannot be detected by
means of an isolated absorption line in a significant way, so we consider this
detection only as tentative. Interestingly, all ionization components have
similar kinematics. In addition, whether two or three absorbers are considered,
the components appear to be in pressure balance. These results give further
support to the idea that warm absorbers in AGN consist of a two or three-phase
medium. We note that, while in the model with only two absorbers one of them
(the high ionization component) lies on an unstable branch of the thermal
equilibrium curve, in the model with three absorbers all of the components lie
on stable branches of the curve. This gives further plausibility to a
multi-phase absorber.


title: The ground states of baryoleptonic Q-balls in supersymmetric models

abstract:
  In supersymmetric generalizations of the Standard Model, all stable Q-balls
are associated with some flat directions. We show that, if the flat direction
has both the baryon number and the lepton number, the scalar field inside the
Q-ball can deviate slightly from the flat direction in the ground state. We
identify the true ground states of such nontopological solitons, including the
electrically neutral and electrically charged Q-balls.


title:
Extended supersolid phase of frustrated hard-core bosons on a triangular
  lattice

abstract:
  We study a model of hard-core bosons with frustrated nearest-neighbor hopping
($t$) and repulsion ($V$) on the triangular lattice. We argue for a supersolid
ground state in the large repulsion ($V\gg|t|$) limit where a dimer
representation applies, by constructing a unitary mapping to the well
understood unfrustrated hopping case. This generalized 'Marshall sign rule'
allows us to establish the precise nature of the supersolid order by utilizing
a recently proposed dimer variational wavefunction, whose correlations can be
efficiently calculated using the Grassman approach. By continuity, a supersolid
is predicted over the wide parameter range, $V>-2t>0$. This also establishes a
simple phase diagram for the triangular lattice spin 1/2 XXZ antiferromagnet.


title: On the nature of Delta Scuti star HD 115520

abstract:
  Observing Delta Scuti stars is most important as their multi-frequency
spectrum of radial pulsations provide strong constraints on the physics of the
stars interior; so any new detection and observation of these stars is a
valuable contribution to asteroseismology. While performing uvby-beta
photoelectric photometry of some RR Lyrae stars acquired in 2005 at the
Observatorio Astronomico Nacional, Mexico, we also observed several standard
stars, HD115520 among them. After the reduction this star showed indications of
variability. In view of this, a new observing run was carried out in 2006
during which we were able to demonstrate its variability and its nature as a
Delta Scuti star. New observations in 2007 permitted us to determine its
periodic content with more accuracy. This, along with the uvby-beta
photoelectric photometry allowed us to deduce its physical characteristics and
pulsational modes.


title: A Sieve Method for Shifted Convolution Sums

abstract:
  We study the average size of shifted convolution summation terms related to
the problem of Quantum Unique Ergodicity on ${\rm SL}_2 (\mathbbm{Z})\backslash
\mathbbm{H}$. Establishing an upper-bound sieve method for handling such sums,
we achieve an unconditional result which suggests that the average size of the
summation terms should be sufficient in application to Quantum Unique
Ergodicity. In other words, cancellations among the summation terms, although
welcomed, may not be required. Furthermore, the sieve method may be applied to
shifted sums of other multiplicative functions with similar results under
suitable conditions.


title: Coulomb drag in quantum circuits

abstract:
  We study drag effect in a system of two electrically isolated quantum point
contacts (QPC), coupled by Coulomb interactions. Drag current exhibits maxima
as a function of QPC gate voltages when the latter are tuned to the transitions
between quantized conductance plateaus. In the linear regime this behavior is
due to enhanced electron-hole asymmetry near an opening of a new conductance
channel. In the non-linear regime the drag current is proportional to the shot
noise of the driving circuit, suggesting that the Coulomb drag experiments may
be a convenient way to measure the quantum shot noise. Remarkably, the
transition to the non-linear regime may occur at driving voltages substantially
smaller than the temperature.


title:
Atmospheric Circulation of Hot Jupiters: A Shallow Three-Dimensional
  Model

abstract:
  Remote observing of exoplanetary atmospheres is now possible, offering us
access to circulation regimes unlike any of the familiar Solar System cases.
Atmospheric circulation models are being developed to study these new regimes
but model validations and intercomparisons are needed to establish their
consistency and accuracy. To this end, we present a simple Earth-like
validation of the pseudo-spectral solver of meteorological equations called
IGCM (Intermediate General Circulation Model), based on Newtonian relaxation to
a prescribed latitudinal profile of equilibrium temperatures. We then describe
a straightforward and idealized model extension to the atmospheric flow on a
hot Jupiter with the same IGCM solver. This shallow, three-dimensional hot
Jupiter model is based on Newtonian relaxation to a permanent day-night pattern
of equilibrium temperatures and the absence of surface drag. The baroclinic
regime of the Earth's lower atmosphere is contrasted with the more barotropic
regime of the simulated hot Jupiter flow. For plausible conditions at the 0.1-1
bar pressure level on HD 209458b, the simulated flow is characterized by
unsteadiness, subsonic wind speeds, a zonally-perturbed superrotating
equatorial jet and large scale polar vortices. Violation of the Rayleigh-Kuo
inflexion point criterion on the flanks of the accelerating equatorial jet
indicates that barotropic (horizontal shear) instabilities may be important
dynamical features of the simulated flow. Similarities and differences with
previously published simulated hot Jupiter flows are briefly noted.


title: Observation of the bottomonium ground state, eta_b, at BaBar

abstract:
  We present the first observation of the bottomonium ground state eta_b(1S) in
the photon energy spectrum using a sample of 109+/-1 million of Upsilon(3S)
events recorded at the Upsilon(3S) energy with the BaBar detector at the PEP-II
B factory at SLAC. A peak at E_gamma = 921.2 {+2.1}{-2.8}(stat) +/- 2.4(syst)
MeV observed with a significance of 10 standard deviations in the photon energy
spectrum is interpretated as being due to the radiative transition Upsilon(3S)
-> gamma eta_b(1S). This photon energy corresponds to an eta_b(1S) mass of
9388.9 {+3.1}{-2.3}(stat) +/- 2.7(syst) MeV/c2. The hyperfine
Upsilon(1S)-eta_b(1S) mass splitting is 71.4 {+2.3}{-3.1}(stat) +/- 2.7(syst)
MeV/c2. The branching fraction for this radiative \Upsilon(3S) decay is
obtained as (4.8 +/- 0.5(stat) +/- 1.2 (syst)) x 10^(-4).


title:
Optical Spin Initialization and Non-Destructive Measurement in a Quantum
  Dot Molecule

abstract:
  The spin of an electron in a self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dot molecule is
optically prepared and measured through the trion triplet states. A
longitudinal magnetic field is used to tune two of the trion states into
resonance, forming a superposition state through asymmetric spin exchange. As a
result, spin-flip Raman transitions can be used for optical spin
initialization, while separate trion states enable cycling transitions for
non-destructive measurement. With two-laser transmission spectroscopy we
demonstrate both operations simultaneously, something not previously
accomplished in a single quantum dot.


title: Integrability of the holomorphic anomaly equations

abstract:
  We show that modularity and the gap condition make the holomorphic anomaly
equation completely integrable for non-compact Calabi-Yau manifolds. This leads
to a very efficient formalism to solve the topological string on these
geometries in terms of almost holomorphic modular forms. The formalism provides
in particular holomorphic expansions everywhere in moduli space including large
radius points, the conifold loci, Seiberg-Witten points and the orbifold
points. It can be also viewed as a very efficient method to solve higher genus
closed string amplitudes in the $\frac{1}{N^2}$ expansion of matrix models with
more then one cut.


title:
Functional renormalization for trion formation in ultracold fermion
  gases

abstract:
  The energy spectrum for three species of identical fermionic atoms close to a
Feshbach resonance is computed by use of a nonperturbative flow equation.
Already a simple truncation shows that for large scattering length $|a|$ the
lowest energy state is a "trion" (or trimer) bound state of three atoms. At the
location of the resonance, for $|a|\to\infty$, we find an infinite set of
trimer bound states, with exponentially decreasing binding energy. This feature
was pointed out by Efimov. It arises from limit cycle scaling, which also leads
to a periodic dependence of the three body scattering coupling on $\ln |a|$.
Extending our findings by continuity to nonzero density and temperature we find
that a "trion phase" separates a BEC and a BCS phase, with interesting quantum
phase transitions for T=0.


title:
Dynamical phases for the evolution of the entanglement between two
  oscillators coupled to the same environment

abstract:
  We study the dynamics of the entanglement between two oscillators that are
initially prepared in a general two-mode Gaussian state and evolve while
coupled to the same environment. In a previous paper we showed that there are
three qualitatively different dynamical phases for the entanglement in the long
time limit: sudden death, sudden death and revival and no-sudden death [Paz &
Roncaglia, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 220401 (2008)]. Here we generalize and extend
those results along several directions: We analyze the fate of entanglement for
an environment with a general spectral density providing a complete
characterization of the corresponding phase diagrams for ohmic and sub--ohmic
environments (we also analyze the super-ohmic case showing that for such
environment the expected behavior is rather different). We also generalize
previous studies by considering two different models for the interaction
between the system and the environment (first we analyze the case when the
coupling is through position and then we examine the case where the coupling is
symmetric in position and momentum). Finally, we analyze (both numerically and
analytically) the case of non-resonant oscillators. In that case we show that
the final entanglement is independent of the initial state and may be non-zero
at very low temperatures. We provide a natural interpretation of our results in
terms of a simple quantum optics model.


title: Unusual Geodesics in generalizations of Thompson's Group F

abstract:
  We prove that seesaw words exist in Thompson's Group F(N) for N=2,3,4,...
with respect to the standard finite generating set X. A seesaw word w with
swing k has only geodesic representatives ending in g^k or g^{-k} (for given
g\in X) and at least one geodesic representative of each type. The existence of
seesaw words with arbitrarily large swing guarantees that F(N) is neither
synchronously combable nor has a regular language of geodesics. Additionally,
we prove that dead ends (or k--pockets) exist in F(N) with respect to X and all
have depth 2. A dead end w is a word for which no geodesic path in the Cayley
graph \Gamma which passes through w can continue past w, and the depth of w is
the minimal m\in\mathbb{N} such that a path of length m+1 exists beginning at w
and leaving B_{|w|}. We represent elements of F(N) by tree-pair diagrams so
that we can use Fordham's metric. This paper generalizes results by Cleary and
Taback, who proved the case N=2.


title: A Blast Wave from the 1843 Eruption of Eta Carinae

abstract:
  Very massive stars shed much of their mass in violent precursor eruptions as
luminous blue variables (LBVs) before reaching their most likely end as
supernovae, but the cause of LBV eruptions is unknown. The 19th century
eruption of Eta Carinae, the prototype of these events, ejected about 12 solar
masses at speeds of 650 km/s, with a kinetic energy of almost 10^50 ergs. Some
faster material with speeds up to 1000-2000 km/s had previously been reported
but its full distribution was unknown. Here I report observations of much
faster material with speeds up to 3500-6000 km/s, reaching farther from the
star than the fastest material in earlier reports. This fast material roughly
doubles the kinetic energy of the 19th century event, and suggests that it
released a blast wave now propagating ahead of the massive ejecta. Thus, Eta
Car's outer shell now mimics a low-energy supernova remnant. The eruption has
usually been discussed in terms of an extreme wind driven by the star's
luminosity, but fast material reported here suggests that it was powered by a
deep-seated explosion rivalling a supernova, perhaps triggered by the
pulsational pair instability. This may alter interpretations of similar events
seen in other galaxies.


title: A Simple Quintessence Model

abstract:
  A simple model of quintessential inflation with the modified exponential
potential $e^{-\alpha \phi} [A+(\phi-\phi_0)^2]$ is analyzed in the braneworld
context. Considering reheating via instant preheating, we conclude that the
model exhibits transient acceleration at late times for $0.96 \lesssim A
\alpha^2 \lesssim 1.26$ and $271 \lesssim \phi_0 \alpha \lesssim 273$, while
permanent acceleration is obtained for $2.3\times10^{-8} \lesssim A \alpha^2
\lesssim 0.98$ and $255 \lesssim \phi_0 \alpha \lesssim 273$. The steep
parameter $\alpha$ is constrained to be in the range $5.3 \lesssim \alpha
\lesssim 10.8$.


title: Activity induced by Gravitational Interaction in Galaxy Pairs

abstract:
  A systematic study of the nuclear emission of a sample of 97 spirals in
isolated galaxy pairs with mixed morphology (E+S) shows that: 1) AGN activity
is found in 40% of the spiral galaxies in these pairs, 2) Only one out of the
39 AGN found has type 1 (Broad line Component) activity, and 3) AGN tend to
have closer companions than star forming galaxies. These results are at odds
with a simple Unified Model for Seyferts, where only obscuration/orientation
effects are of relevance, and neatly support an evolutionary scenario where
interactions trigger nuclear activity, and obscuration/orientation effects may
be complementary in a certain evolutionary phase.


title: Multirate Anypath Routing in Wireless Mesh Networks

abstract:
  In this paper, we present a new routing paradigm that generalizes
opportunistic routing in wireless mesh networks. In multirate anypath routing,
each node uses both a set of next hops and a selected transmission rate to
reach a destination. Using this rate, a packet is broadcast to the nodes in the
set and one of them forwards the packet on to the destination. To date, there
is no theory capable of jointly optimizing both the set of next hops and the
transmission rate used by each node. We bridge this gap by introducing a
polynomial-time algorithm to this problem and provide the proof of its
optimality. The proposed algorithm runs in the same running time as regular
shortest-path algorithms and is therefore suitable for deployment in link-state
routing protocols. We conducted experiments in a 802.11b testbed network, and
our results show that multirate anypath routing performs on average 80% and up
to 6.4 times better than anypath routing with a fixed rate of 11 Mbps. If the
rate is fixed at 1 Mbps instead, performance improves by up to one order of
magnitude.


title:
Stellar Proper Motions in the Galactic Bulge from deep HST ACS/WFC
  Photometry

abstract:
  We present stellar proper motions in the Galactic bulge from the Sagittarius
Window Eclipsing Extrasolar Search (SWEEPS) project using ACS/WFC on HST.
Proper motions are extracted for more than 180,000 objects, with >81,000
measured to accuracy better than 0.3 mas/yr in both coordinates. We report
several results based on these measurements: 1. Kinematic separation of bulge
from disk allows a sample of >15,000 bulge objects to be extracted based on
>6-sigma detections of proper motion, with <0.2% contamination from the disk.
This includes the first detection of a candidate bulge Blue Straggler
population. 2. Armed with a photometric distance modulus on a star by star
basis, and using the large number of stars with high-quality proper motion
measurements to overcome intrinsic scatter, we dissect the kinematic properties
of the bulge as a function of distance along the line of sight. This allows us
to extract the stellar circular speed curve from proper motions alone, which we
compare with the circular speed curve obtained from radial velocities. 3. We
trace the variation of the {l,b} velocity ellipse as a function of depth. 4.
Finally, we use the density-weighted {l,b} proper motion ellipse produced from
the tracer stars to assess the kinematic membership of the sixteen transiting
planet candidates discovered in the Sagittarius Window; the kinematic
distribution of the planet candidates is consistent with that of the disk and
bulge stellar populations.


title: High Energy Positrons From Annihilating Dark Matter

abstract:
  Recent preliminary results from the PAMELA experiment indicate the presence
of an excess of cosmic ray positrons above 10 GeV. In this letter, we consider
possibility that this signal is the result of dark matter annihilations taking
place in the halo of the Milky Way. Rather than focusing on a specific particle
physics model, we take a phenomenological approach and consider a variety of
masses and two-body annihilation modes, including W+W-, ZZ, b bbar, tau+ tau-,
mu+ mu-, and e+e. We also consider a range of diffusion parameters consistent
with current cosmic ray data. We find that a significant upturn in the positron
fraction above 10 GeV is compatible with a wide range of dark matter
annihilation modes, although very large annihilation cross sections and/or
boost factors arising from inhomogeneities in the local dark matter
distribution are required to produce the observed intensity of the signal. We
comment on constraints from gamma rays, synchrotron emission, and cosmic ray
antiproton measurements.


title: Coherent states approach to Penning trap

abstract:
  By using a matrix technique, which allows to identify directly the ladder
operators, the Penning trap coherent states are derived as eigenstates of the
appropriate annihilation operators. These states are compared with the ones
obtained through the displacement operator. The associated wave functions and
mean values for some relevant operators in these states are also evaluated. It
turns out that the Penning trap coherent states minimize the Heisenberg
uncertainty relation.


title: The Infrastructure of a Global Field of Arbitrary Unit Rank

abstract:
  In this paper, we show a general way to interpret the infrastructure of a
global field of arbitrary unit rank. This interpretation generalizes the prior
concepts of the giant step operation and f-representations, and makes it
possible to relate the infrastructure to the (Arakelov) divisor class group of
the global field. In the case of global function fields, we present results
that establish that effective implementation of the presented methods is indeed
possible, and we show how Shanks' baby-step giant-step method can be
generalized to this situation.


title: Agent-based Ecological Model Calibration - on the Edge of a New Approach

abstract:
  The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach to ecological model
calibration -- an agent-based software. This agent works on three stages: 1- It
builds a matrix that synthesizes the inter-variable relationships; 2- It
analyses the steady-state sensitivity of different variables to different
parameters; 3- It runs the model iteratively and measures model lack of fit,
adequacy and reliability. Stage 3 continues until some convergence criteria are
attained. At each iteration, the agent knows from stages 1 and 2, which
parameters are most likely to produce the desired shift on predicted results.


title: Incoherent dictionaries and the statistical restricted isometry property

abstract:
  In this article we present a statistical version of the Candes-Tao restricted
isometry property (SRIP for short) which holds in general for any incoherent
dictionary which is a disjoint union of orthonormal bases. In addition, under
appropriate normalization, the eigenvalues of the associated Gram matrix
fluctuate around 1 according to the Wigner semicircle distribution. The result
is then applied to various dictionaries that arise naturally in the setting of
finite harmonic analysis, giving, in particular, a better understanding on a
remark of Applebaum-Howard-Searle-Calderbank concerning RIP for the Heisenberg
dictionary of chirp like functions.


title:
The essential dimension of the normalizer of a maximal torus in the
  projective linear group

abstract:
  Let p be a prime, k be a field of characteristic different from p containing
a primitive p-th root of unity and N be the normalizer of the maximal torus in
the projective linear group PGLn. We compute the exact value of the essential
dimension ed(N;p) of N at p for every n.


title: New examples of $c_0$-saturated Banach spaces II

abstract:
  For every Banach space $Z$ with a shrinking unconditional basis satisfying
upper $p$-estimates for some $p > 1$, an isomorphically polyhedral Banach space
is constructed having an unconditional basis and admitting a quotient
isomorphic to $Z$.


title:
On the decomposition numbers of the Hecke algebra of type $D_n$ when $n$
  is even

abstract:
  Let $n\geq 4$ be an even integer. Let $K$ be a field with $\cha
  K\neq 2$ and $q$ an invertible element in $K$ such that
  $\prod_{i=1}^{n-1}(1+q^i)\neq 0$. In this paper, we study the decomposition
numbers over $K$ of the Iwahori--Hecke algebra $\HH_q(D_n)$ of type $D_n$. We
obtain some equalities which relate its decomposition numbers with certain
Schur elements and the decomposition numbers of various Iwahori--Hecke algebras
of type $A$ with the same parameter $q$. When $\cha K=0$, this completely
determine all of its decomposition numbers. The main tools we used are the
Morita equivalence theorem established in \cite{Hu1} and certain twining
character formulae of Weyl modules over a tensor product of two $q$-Schur
algebras.


title: Completely multiplicative functions taking values in $\{-1,1\}$

abstract:
  Define {\em the Liouville function for $A$}, a subset of the primes $P$, by
$\lambda_{A}(n) =(-1)^{\Omega_A(n)}$ where $\Omega_A(n)$ is the number of prime
factors of $n$ coming from $A$ counting multiplicity. For the traditional
Liouville function, $A$ is the set of all primes. Denote $$L_A(n):=\sum_{k\leq
n}\lambda_A(n)\quad{and}\quad R_A:=\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{L_A(n)}{n}.$$ We show
that for every $\alpha\in[0,1]$ there is an $A\subset P$ such that
$R_A=\alpha$. Given certain restrictions on $A$, asymptotic estimates for
$\sum_{k\leq n}\lambda_A(k)$ are also given. With further restrictions, more
can be said. For {\em character--like functions} $\lambda_p$ ($\lambda_p$
agrees with a Dirichlet character $\chi$ when $\chi(n)\neq 0$) exact values and
asymptotics are given; in particular $$\quad\sum_{k\leq n}\lambda_p(k)\ll \log
n.$$ Within the course of discussion, the ratio $\phi(n)/\sigma(n)$ is
considered.


title: Elliptic complexes and generalized Poincar\'e inequalities

abstract:
  We study first order differential operators with constant coefficients. The
main question is under what conditions a generalized Poincar\'e inequality
holds. We show that the constant rank condition is sufficient. The concept of
the Moore-Penrose generalized inverse of a matrix comes into play.


title:
Quantum Oscillations Can Prevent the Big Bang Singularity in an
  Einstein-Dirac Cosmology

abstract:
  We consider a spatially homogeneous and isotropic system of Dirac particles
coupled to classical gravity. The dust and radiation dominated closed
Friedmann-Robertson-Walker space-times are recovered as limiting cases. We find
a mechanism where quantum oscillations of the Dirac wave functions can prevent
the formation of the big bang or big crunch singularity. Thus before the big
crunch, the collapse of the universe is stopped by quantum effects and reversed
to an expansion, so that the universe opens up entering a new era of classical
behavior.
  Numerical examples of such space-times are given, and the dependence on
various parameters is discussed. Generically, one has a collapse after a finite
number of cycles. By fine-tuning the parameters we construct an example of a
space-time which is time-periodic, thus running through an infinite number of
contraction and expansion cycles.


title: Extremely Anisotropic Scintillations

abstract:
  A small number of quasars exhibit interstellar scintillation on time-scales
less than an hour; their scintillation patterns are all known to be
anisotropic. Here we consider a totally anisotropic model in which the
scintillation pattern is effectively one-dimensional. For the persistent rapid
scintillators J1819+3845 and PKS1257-326 we show that this model offers a good
description of the two-station time-delay measurements and the annual cycle in
the scintillation time-scale. Generalising the model to finite anisotropy
yields a better match to the data but the improvement is not significant and
the two additional parameters which are required to describe this model are not
justified by the existing data. The extreme anisotropy we infer for the
scintillation patterns must be attributed to the scattering medium rather than
a highly elongated source. For J1819+3845 the totally anisotropic model
predicts that the particular radio flux variations seen between mid July and
late August should repeat between late August and mid November, and then again
between mid November and late December as the Earth twice changes its direction
of motion across the scintillation pattern. If this effect can be observed then
the minor-axis velocity component of the screen and the orientation of that
axis can both be precisely determined. In reality the axis ratio is finite,
albeit large, and spatial decorrelation of the flux pattern along the major
axis may be observable via differences in the pairwise fluxes within this
overlap region; in this case we can also constrain both the major-axis velocity
component of the screen and the magnitude of the anisotropy.


title: Geometry of quadrilateral nets: second Hamiltonian form

abstract:
  Discrete Darboux-Manakov-Zakharov systems possess two distinct Hamiltonian
forms. In the framework of discrete-differential geometry one Hamiltonian form
appears in a geometry of circular net. In this paper a geometry of second form
is identified.


title:
First-principles methodology for quantum transport in multiterminal
  junctions

abstract:
  We present a generalized approach for computing electron conductance and I-V
characteristics in multiterminal junctions from first-principles. Within the
framework of Keldysh theory, electron transmission is evaluated employing an
O(N) method for electronic-structure calculations. The nonequilibrium Green
function for the nonequilibrium electron density of the multiterminal junction
is computed self-consistently by solving Poisson equation after applying a
realistic bias. We illustrate the suitability of the method on two examples of
four-terminal systems, a radialene molecule connected to carbon chains and two
crossed carbon chains brought together closer and closer. We describe charge
density, potential profile, and transmission of electrons between any two
terminals. Finally, we discuss the applicability of this technique to study
complex electronic devices.


title:
Self-Sustained Collective Oscillation Generated in an Array of
  Non-Oscillatory Cells

abstract:
  Oscillations represent a ubiquitous phenomenon in biological systems. The
conventional models of biological periodic oscillations are usually proposed as
interconnecting transcriptional feedback loops. Some specific proteins function
as transcription factors, which in turn negatively regulate the expression of
the genes that encode those "clock protein". These loops may lead to rhythmic
changes in gene expression of a cell. In the case of multi-cellular tissue, the
collective oscillation is often obtained from synchronization of these cells,
which manifest themselves as autonomous oscillators. In contrast, here, we
propose a different scenario for the occurrence of collective oscillation in a
multi-cellular system independent of oscillation, neither intrinsically
oscillatory cells nor periodic external stimulation. It is a coupling induced
oscillation, with the consideration of wave propagation due to the
intracellular communication.


title: What is a Systems Approach?

abstract:
  What is a systems approach? The first step towards answering this question is
an understanding of the history of the systems movement, which includes a
survey of contemporary systems discourse. In particular, I examine how systems
researchers differentiated their contribution from mechanistic science - but
also from holistic doctrines; and identify the similarities and sharpest
differences between complex systems and other systems approaches. Having set
the scene, the second step involves developing a definition of 'system'
consistent with the spirit of the systems approach.


title: Exceptional Loci on $\bar M_{0,n}$ and Hypergraph Curves

abstract:
  We give a myriad of examples of extremal divisors, rigid curves, and
birational morphisms with unexpected properties for the Grothendieck--Knudsen
moduli space $\bar M_{0,n}$ of stable rational curves. The basic tool is an
isomorphism between $M_{0,n}$ and the Brill--Noether locus of a very special
reducible curve corresponding to a hypergraph.


title: Non-orientable fundamental surfaces in lens spaces

abstract:
  We give a concrete example of an infinite sequence of $(p_n, q_n)$-lens
spaces $L(p_n, q_n)$ with natural triangulations $T(p_n, q_n)$ with $p_n$
taterahedra such that $L(p_n, q_n)$ contains a certain non-orientable closed
surface which is fundamental with respect to $T(p_n, q_n)$ and of minimal
crosscap number among all closed non-orientable surfaces in $L(p_n, q_n)$ and
has $n-2$ parallel sheets of normal disks of a quadrilateral type disjoint from
the pair of core circles of $L(p_n, q_n)$. Actually, we can set $p_0=0, q_0=1,
p_{k+1}=3p_k+2q_k$ and $q_{k+1}=p_k+q_k$.


title:
Secant Varieties of (P ^1) X .... X (P ^1) (n-times) are NOT Defective
  for n \geq 5

abstract:
  Let V_n be the Segre embedding of (P^1) x ... X (P^1) (n times). We prove
that the higher secant varieties, \sigma_s(V_n), always have the expected
dimension, except for \sigma_3(V_4), which is of dimension 1 less than
expected.


title: Some mass relations for mesons and baryons in Regge phenomenology

abstract:
  In the quasilinear Regge trajectory ansatz, some useful linear mass
inequalities, quadratic mass inequalities and quadratic mass equalities are
derived for mesons and baryons. Based on these relations, mass ranges of some
mesons and baryons are given. The masses of bc-bar and ss-bar belonging to the
pseudoscalar, vector and tensor meson multiplets are also extracted. The J^P of
the baryon Xi_cc(3520) is assigned to be 1/2^+. The numerical values for Regge
slopes and intercepts of the 1/2^+ and 3/2^+ SU(4) baryon trajectories are
extracted and the masses of the orbital excited baryons lying on the 1/2^+ and
3/2^+ trajectories are estimated. The J^P assignments of baryons Xi_c(2980),
Xi_c(3055), Xi_c(3077) and Xi_c(3123) are discussed. The predictions are in
reasonable agreement with the existing experimental data and those suggested in
many other different approaches. The mass relations and the predictions may be
useful for the discovery of the unobserved meson and baryon states and the J^P
assignment of these states.


title: Multiple Spawning with Optimal Basis Set Expansion

abstract:
  The Full Multiple Spawning (FMS) method is designed to simulate quantum
dynamics in the multi-state electronic problem. The FMS nuclear wavefunction is
represented in a basis of coupled, frozen Gaussians, and the spawning procedure
prescribes a means of adaptively increasing the size of the basis in order to
capture population transfer between electronic states. Parent trajectories
create children when passing through regions of significant nonadiabatic
coupling. In order to converge branching ratios without allowing the basis to
reach an impractical size, population transfer at individual spawning events
should be made as effective as possible. Herein we detail a new algorithm for
specifying the initial conditions of freshly spawned basis functions, one that
minimizes the number of spawns needed for convergence by maximizing the
efficiency of individual spawning events. Optimization is achieved by
maximizing the coupling between parent and child trajectories, as a function of
child position and momentum, at the point of spawning. The method is tested
with a two-state, one-mode avoided crossing model and a two-state, two-mode
conical intersection model.


title: Bouncing and cyclic string gas cosmologies

abstract:
  We show that, in the presence of a string gas, simple higher-derivative
modifications to the effective action for gravity can lead to bouncing and
cyclic cosmological models. The modifications bound the expansion rate and
avoid singularities at finite times. In these models the scale factors can have
long loitering phases that solve the horizon problem. Adding a potential for
the dilaton gives a simple realization of the pre-big bang scenario. Entropy
production in the cyclic phase drives an eventual transition to a
radiation-dominated universe. As a test of the Brandenberger-Vafa scenario, we
comment on the probability of decompactifying three spatial dimensions in this
class of models.


title:
Implementation of holonomic quantum gates by an isospectral deformation
  of an Ising dimer chain

abstract:
  We exactly construct one- and two-qubit holonomic quantum gates in terms of
isospectral deformations of an Ising model Hamiltonian. A single logical qubit
is constructed out of two spin-1/2 particles; the qubit is a dimer. We find
that the holonomic gates obtained are discrete but dense in the unitary group.
Therefore an approximate gate for a desired one can be constructed with
arbitrary accuracy.


title:
Abundances and Isotope Ratios in the Magellanic Clouds: The Star Forming
  Environment of N113

abstract:
  With the goal of deriving the physical and chemical conditions of star
forming regions in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a spectral line survey of
the prominent star forming region N113 is presented. The observations cover
parts of the frequency range from 85 GHz to 357 GHz and include 63 molecular
transitions from a total of 16 species, among them spectra of rare
isotopologues. Maps of selected molecular lines as well as the 1.2 mm continuum
distribution are also presented. Molecular abundances in the core of the
complex are found to be consistent with a photon dominated region (PDR) that is
nitrogen deficient, with the potential exception of N2H+. Densities range from
5x10^3 cm-3 for CO to almost 10^6 for CS and HCN, indicating that only the
densest regions provide sufficient shielding even for some of the most common
species. An ortho- to para-H_2CO ratio of ~3 hints at H_2CO formation in a warm
(>=40 K) environment. Isotope ratios are 12C/13C ~ 49+-5, 16O/18O ~ 2000+-250,
18O/17O ~ 1.7+-0.2 and 32S/34S ~ 15. Agreement with data from other star
forming clouds shows that the gas is well mixed in the LMC . The isotope ratios
do not only differ from those seen in the Galaxy. They also do not form a
continuation of the trends observed with decreasing metallicity from the inner
to the outer Galaxy. This implies that the outer Galaxy, is not providing a
transition zone between the inner Galaxy and the metal poor environment of the
Magellanic Clouds. A part of this discrepancy is likely caused by differences
in the age of the stellar populations in the outer Galaxy and the LMC.


title:
Complementarity of the CERN Large Hadron Collider and the $e^+e^-$
  International Linear Collider

abstract:
  The next-generation high-energy facilities, the CERN Large Hadron Collider
(LHC) and the prospective $e^+e^-$ International Linear Collider (ILC), are
expected to unravel new structures of matter and forces from the electroweak
scale to the TeV scale. In this report we review the complementary role of LHC
and ILC in drawing a comprehensive and high-precision picture of the mechanism
breaking the electroweak symmetries and generating mass, and the unification of
forces in the frame of supersymmetry.


title: Radiation-Dominated Disks Are Thermally Stable

abstract:
  When the accretion rate is more than a small fraction of Eddington, the inner
regions of accretion disks around black holes are expected to be
radiation-dominated. However, in the alpha-model, these regions are also
expected to be thermally unstable. In this paper, we report two 3-d radiation
MHD simulations of a vertically-stratified shearing box in which the ratio of
radiation to gas pressure is ~ 10, and yet no thermal runaway occurs over a
timespan ~ 40 cooling times. Where the time-averaged dissipation rate is
greater than the critical dissipation rate that creates hydrostatic equilibrium
by diffusive radiation flux, the time-averaged radiation flux is held to the
critical value, with the excess dissipated energy transported by radiative
advection. Although the stress and total pressure are well-correlated as
predicted by the alpha-model, we show that stress fluctuations precede pressure
fluctuations, contrary to the usual supposition that the pressure controls the
saturation level of the magnetic energy. This fact explains the thermal
stability. Using a simple toy-model, we show that independently-generated
magnetic fluctuations can drive radiation pressure fluctuations, creating a
correlation between the two while maintaining thermal stability.


title: Arithmetic Progressions in Abundance by Combinatorial Tools

abstract:
  Using the algebraic structure of the Stone-Cech compactification of the
integers, Furstenberg and Glasner proved that for arbitrary k, every piecewise
syndetic set contains a piecewise syndetic set of k-term arithmetic
progressions.
  We present a purely combinatorial argument which allows to derive this result
directly from van der Waerden's Theorem.


title: Circumference, Chromatic Number and Online Coloring

abstract:
  Erd\"os conjectured that if $G$ is a triangle free graph of chromatic number
at least $k\geq 3$, then it contains an odd cycle of length at least
$k^{2-o(1)}$ \cite{sudakovverstraete, verstraete}. Nothing better than a linear
bound (\cite{gyarfas}, Problem 5.1.55 in \cite{West}) was so far known. We make
progress on this conjecture by showing that $G$ contains an odd cycle of length
at least $O(k\log\log k)$. Erd\"os' conjecture is known to hold for graphs with
girth at least 5. We show that if a girth 4 graph is $C_5$ free, then Erd\"os'
conjecture holds. When the number of vertices is not too large we can prove
better bounds on $\chi$. We also give bounds on the chromatic number of graphs
with at most $r$ cycles of length $1\bmod k$, or at most $s$ cycles of length
$2\bmod k$, or no cycles of length $3\bmod k$. Our techniques essentially
consist of using a depth first search tree to decompose the graph into ordered
paths, which are then fed to an online coloring algorithm. Using this technique
we give simple proofs of some old results, and also obtain several simpler
results. We also obtain a lower bound on the number of colors an online
coloring algorithm needs to use on triangle free graphs.


title: Black holes without boundaries

abstract:
  We discuss some of the drawbacks of using event horizons to define black
holes and suggest ways in which black holes can be described without event
horizons, using trapping horizons. We show that these trapping horizons give
rise to thermodynamic behavior and possibly Hawking radiation too. This raises
the issue of whether the event horizon or the trapping horizon should be seen
as the true boundary of a black hole. This difference is important if we
believe that quantum gravity will resolve the central singularity of the black
hole and clarifies several of the issues associated with black hole
thermodynamics and information loss.


title:
Convergence of the critical finite-range contact process to
  super-Brownian motion above the upper critical dimension: I. The higher-point
  functions

abstract:
  We consider the critical spread-out contact process in Z^d with d\ge1, whose
infection range is denoted by L\ge1. In this paper, we investigate the r-point
function \tau_{\vec t}^{(r)}(\vec x) for r\ge3, which is the probability that,
for all i=1,...,r-1, the individual located at x_i\in Z^d is infected at time
t_i by the individual at the origin o\in Z^d at time 0. Together with the
results of the 2-point function in [van der Hofstad and Sakai, Electron. J.
Probab. 9 (2004), 710-769; arXiv:math/0402049], on which our proofs crucially
rely, we prove that the r-point functions converge to the moment measures of
the canonical measure of super-Brownian motion above the upper-critical
dimension 4. We also prove partial results for d\le4 in a local mean-field
setting.