title: Querying XML Documents in Logic Programming

abstract:
  Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple, very flexible text format
derived from SGML. Originally designed to meet the challenges of large-scale
electronic publishing, XML is also playing an increasingly important role in
the exchange of a wide variety of data on the Web and elsewhere. XPath language
is the result of an effort to provide address parts of an XML document. In
support of this primary purpose, it becomes in a query language against an XML
document. In this paper we present a proposal for the implementation of the
XPath language in logic programming. With this aim we will describe the
representation of XML documents by means of a logic program. Rules and facts
can be used for representing the document schema and the XML document itself.
In particular, we will present how to index XML documents in logic programs:
rules are supposed to be stored in main memory, however facts are stored in
secondary memory by using two kind of indexes: one for each XML tag, and other
for each group of terminal items. In addition, we will study how to query by
means of the XPath language against a logic program representing an XML
document. It evolves the specialization of the logic program with regard to the
XPath expression. Finally, we will also explain how to combine the indexing and
the top-down evaluation of the logic program. To appear in Theory and Practice
of Logic Programming (TPLP)"


title: Distributions for Higgs + jet at hadron colliders: MSSM vs SM

abstract:
  We present pseudorapidity and transverse momentum distributions for the cross
section for the production of the lightest neutral Higgs boson in association
with a high-p_T hadronic jet, calculated in the framework of the minimal
supersymmetric standard model. We discuss the theoretical predictions for the
differential cross sections at the Large Hadron Collider and the Tevatron. In
particular, we present the differences in the distributions compared to the
Standard Model.


title:
q-Dependence of the giant bond-stretching phonon anomaly in the stripe
  compound La1.48Nd0.4Sr0.12CuO4 measured by IXS

abstract:
  Inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) was used to study the Cu-O bond-stretching
vibrations in the static stripe phase compound La1.48Nd0.4Sr0.12CuO4. It was
found that the intrinsic width in Q-space of the previously reported huge
anomalous phonon softening and broadening is approximately 0.08r.l.u HWHM. A
detailed comparison was also made to inelastic neutron scattering (INS)
studies, which indicate a two-peak lineshape (with superimposed broad and
narrow peaks) in the vicinity of the anomaly. The high resolution IXS data show
that the narrow peak is mostly an artifact of the poor transverse Q-resolution
of INS. Otherwise the agreement between the INS and IXS was excellent.


title: The ANTARES Detector: Electronics and Readout

abstract:
  In this paper, we illustrate the main features of the electronics and data
acquisition systems of the ANTARES apparatus, a large volume, deep-sea neutrino
telescope under construction in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Toulon,
France. The apparatus consists of an array of 900 large-area photomultipliers
arranged on 12 detection lines, 5 of which are in data acquisition since
January 2007. The schedule is to complete the apparatus construction in early
2008.


title:
Linearization of fourth-order ordinary differential equations by point
  transformations

abstract:
  We present here the solution of the problem on linearization of fourth-order
equations by means of point transformations. We show that all fourth-order
equations that are linearizable by point transformations are contained in the
class of equations which is linear in the third-order derivative. We provide
the linearization test and describe the procedure for obtaining the linearizing
transformations as well as the linearized equation.


title:
Influence of surface diffusion on catalytic reactivity of spatially
  inhomogeneous surfaces mean field modeling

abstract:
  Kinetics of model catalytic processes proceeding on inhomogeneous surfaces is
studied. We employ an extended mean-field model that takes into account surface
inhomogeneities. The influence of surface diffusion of adsorbent on the
kinetics of the catalytic process is investigated. It is shown that diffusion
is responsible for differences in the reaction rate of systems with different
arrangements of active sites. The presence of cooperative effects between
inactive and active sites is demonstrated and the conditions when these effects
are important are discussed. We show that basic catalytic phenomena on
nonuniform surfaces can be studied with mean-field modeling methods.


title: Proper motions of field L and T dwarfs

abstract:
  The proper motion measurements for 143 previously known L and T dwarfs are
presented. From this sample we identify and discuss 8 high velocity L dwarfs.
We also find 4 new wide common proper motion binaries/multiple systems. Using
the moving cluster methods we have also identified a number of L dwarfs that
may be members of the Ursa Major (age ~400 Myr), the Hyades (age ~625 Myr) and
the Pleiades (age ~125 Myr) moving groups.


title:
SUSY sensitivity in final states with leptons, jets, and missing
  transverse energy

abstract:
  Final states with leptons, jets and missing transverse energy are a promising
way to detect Supersymmetry at the Large Hadron Collider. Results of simulation
studies performed by the CMS and ATLAS collaborations are presented. The
discovery of new physics is shown to be possible within the first fb^-1 of
collected integrated luminosity.


title:
A Bayesian Hierarchical Model for the Analysis of a Longitudinal Dynamic
  Contrast-Enhanced MRI Cancer Study

abstract:
  Imaging in clinical oncology trials provides a wealth of information that
contributes to the drug development process, especially in early phase studies.
This paper focuses on kinetic modeling in DCE-MRI, inspired by mixed-effects
models that are frequently used in the analysis of clinical trials. Instead of
summarizing each scanning session as a single kinetic parameter -- such as
median $\ktrans$ across all voxels in the tumor ROI -- we propose to analyze
all voxel time courses from all scans and across all subjects simultaneously in
a single model. The kinetic parameters from the usual non-linear regression
model are decomposed into unique components associated with factors from the
longitudinal study; e.g., treatment, patient and voxel effects. A Bayesian
hierarchical model provides the framework in order to construct a data model, a
parameter model, as well as prior distributions. The posterior distribution of
the kinetic parameters is estimated using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)
methods. Hypothesis testing at the study level for an overall treatment effect
is straightforward and the patient- and voxel-level parameters capture random
effects that provide additional information at various levels of resolution to
allow a thorough evaluation of the clinical trial. The proposed method is
validated with a breast cancer study, where the subjects were imaged before and
after two cycles of chemotherapy, demonstrating the clinical potential of this
method to longitudinal oncology studies.


title: Sinh-Gordon Boundary TBA and Boundary Liouville Reflection Amplitude

abstract:
  The ground state energy of the sinh-Gordon model defined on the strip is
studied using the boundary thermodynamic Bethe ansatz equation. Its ultraviolet
(small width of the strip) behavior is compared with the one obtained from the
boundary Liouville reflection amplitude. The results are in perfect agreement
in the allowable range of the parameters and provide convincing support for
both approaches. We also describe how the ultraviolet limit of the effective
central charge can exceed one in the parameter range when the Liouville zero
mode forms a bound state.


title: Variational principle for Hamiltonians with degenerate bottom

abstract:
  We consider perturbations of Hamiltonians whose Fourier symbol attains its
minimum along a hypersurface. Such operators arise in several domains, like
spintronics, theory of supercondictivity, or theory of superfluidity.
Variational estimates for the number of eigenvalues below the essential
spectrum in terms of the perturbation potential are provided. In particular, we
provide an elementary proof that negative potentials lead to an infinite
discrete spectrum.


title:
Test vectors for trilinear forms, when two representations are
  unramified

abstract:
  Let F be a finite extension of Qp and G be GL(2,F). When V is the tensor
product of three infinite dimensional, irreducible, admissible representations
of G, the space of G-invariant linear forms has dimension 0 or 1. When a
non-zero linear form exists, one wants to find an element of V which is not in
its kernel : this is a test vector. Gross and Prasad found explicit test
vectors when the three representations are unramified principal series, and
when the three representations are unramified twists of the Steinberg
representation. In this paper, we find an explicit test vector when two of the
representations are unramified principal series and the third one has
ramification at least 1.


title: Sur une conjecture de Dehornoy

abstract:
  Let M_n be the n! * n! matrix indexed by permutations of S_n, defined by
M_n(sigma,tau)=1 if every descent of tau^{-1} is also a descent of sigma, and
M_n(sigma,tau)=0 otherwise. We prove the following result, conjectured by P.
Dehornoy: the characteristic polynomial P_n(x)=|xI-M_n| of M_n divides
P_{n+1}(x) in Z[x].


title: Unified Modeling of Complex Real-Time Control Systems

abstract:
  Complex real-time control system is a software dense and algorithms dense
system, which needs modern software engineering techniques to design. UML is an
object-oriented industrial standard modeling language, used more and more in
real-time domain. This paper first analyses the advantages and problems of
using UML for real-time control systems design. Then, it proposes an extension
of UML-RT to support time-continuous subsystems modeling. So we can unify
modeling of complex real-time control systems on UML-RT platform, from
requirement analysis, model design, simulation, until generation code.


title:
Power-Performance Trade-Offs in Nanometer-Scale Multi-Level Caches
  Considering Total Leakage

abstract:
  In this paper, we investigate the impact of T_{ox} and Vth on power
performance trade-offs for on-chip caches. We start by examining the
optimization of the various components of a single level cache and then extend
this to two level cache systems. In addition to leakage, our studies also
account for the dynamic power expanded as a result of cache misses. Our results
show that one can often reduce overall power by increasing the size of the L2
cache if we only allow one pair of Vth/T_{ox} in L2. However, if we allow the
memory cells and the peripherals to have their own Vth's and T_{ox}'s, we show
that a two-level cache system with smaller L2's will yield less total leakage.
We further show that two Vth's and two T_{ox}'s are sufficient to get close to
an optimal solution, and that Vth is generally a better design knob than T_{ox}
for leakage optimization, thus it is better to restrict the number of T_{ox}'s
rather than Vth's if cost is a concern.


title:
Test Time Reduction Reusing Multiple Processors in a Network-on-Chip
  Based Architecture

abstract:
  The increasing complexity and the short life cycles of embedded systems are
pushing the current system-on-chip designs towards a rapid increasing on the
number of programmable processing units, while decreasing the gate count for
custom logic. Considering this trend, this work proposes a test planning method
capable of reusing available processors as test sources and sinks, and the
on-chip network as the test access mechanism. Experimental results are based on
ITC'02 benchmarks and on two open core processors compliant with MIPS and SPARC
instruction set. The results show that the cooperative use of both the on-chip
network and the embedded processors can increase the test parallelism and
reduce the test time without additional cost in area and pins.


title:
A Hybrid Prefetch Scheduling Heuristic to Minimize at Run-Time the
  Reconfiguration Overhead of Dynamically Reconfigurable Hardware

abstract:
  Due to the emergence of highly dynamic multimedia applications there is a
need for flexible platforms and run-time scheduling support for embedded
systems. Dynamic Reconfigurable Hardware (DRHW) is a promising candidate to
provide this flexibility but, currently, not sufficient run-time scheduling
support to deal with the run-time reconfigurations exists. Moreover, executing
at run-time a complex scheduling heuristic to provide this support may generate
an excessive run-time penalty. Hence, we have developed a hybrid
design/run-time prefetch heuristic that schedules the reconfigurations at
run-time, but carries out the scheduling computations at design-time by
carefully identifying a set of near-optimal schedules that can be selected at
run-time. This approach provides run-time flexibility with a negligible
penalty.


title: Rapid Generation of Thermal-Safe Test Schedules

abstract:
  Overheating has been acknowledged as a major issue in testing complex SOCs.
Several power constrained system-level DFT solutions (power constrained test
scheduling) have recently been proposed to tackle this problem. However, as it
will be shown in this paper, imposing a chip-level maximum power constraint
doesn't necessarily avoid local overheating due to the non-uniform distribution
of power across the chip. This paper proposes a new approach for dealing with
overheating during test, by embedding thermal awareness into test scheduling.
The proposed approach facilitates rapid generation of thermal-safer test
schedules without requiring time-consuming thermal simulations. This is
achieved by employing a low-complexity test session thermal model used to guide
the test schedule generation algorithm. This approach reduces the chances of a
design re-spin due to potential overheating during test.


title: System Synthesis for Networks of Programmable Blocks

abstract:
  The advent of sensor networks presents untapped opportunities for synthesis.
We examine the problem of synthesis of behavioral specifications into networks
of programmable sensor blocks. The particular behavioral specification we
consider is an intuitive user-created network diagram of sensor blocks, each
block having a pre-defined combinational or sequential behavior. We synthesize
this specification to a new network that utilizes a minimum number of
programmable blocks in place of the pre-defined blocks, thus reducing network
size and hence network cost and power. We focus on the main task of this
synthesis problem, namely partitioning pre-defined blocks onto a minimum number
of programmable blocks, introducing the efficient but effective PareDown
decomposition algorithm for the task. We describe the synthesis and simulation
tools we developed. We provide results showing excellent network size
reductions through such synthesis, and significant speedups of our algorithm
over exhaustive search while obtaining near-optimal results for 15 real network
designs as well as nearly 10,000 randomly generated designs.


title:
Access Pattern-Based Code Compression for Memory-Constrained Embedded
  Systems

abstract:
  As compared to a large spectrum of performance optimizations, relatively
little effort has been dedicated to optimize other aspects of embedded
applications such as memory space requirements, power, real-time
predictability, and reliability. In particular, many modern embedded systems
operate under tight memory space constraints. One way of satisfying these
constraints is to compress executable code and data as much as possible. While
research on code compression have studied efficient hardware and software based
code strategies, many of these techniques do not take application behavior into
account, that is, the same compression/decompression strategy is used
irrespective of the application being optimized. This paper presents a code
compression strategy based on control flow graph (CFG) representation of the
embedded program. The idea is to start with a memory image wherein all basic
blocks are compressed, and decompress only the blocks that are predicted to be
needed in the near future. When the current access to a basic block is over,
our approach also decides the point at which the block could be compressed. We
propose several compression and decompression strategies that try to reduce
memory requirements without excessively increasing the original instruction
cycle counts.


title:
An Improved FPGA Implementation of the Modified Hybrid Hiding Encryption
  Algorithm (MHHEA) for Data Communication Security

abstract:
  The hybrid hiding encryption algorithm, as its name implies, embraces
concepts from both steganography and cryptography. In this exertion, an
improved micro-architecture Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) implementation
of this algorithm is presented. This design overcomes the observed limitations
of a previously-designed micro-architecture. These observed limitations are: no
exploitation of the possibility of parallel bit replacement, and the fact that
the input plaintext was encrypted serially, which caused a dependency between
the throughput and the nature of the used secret key. This dependency can be
viewed by some as vulnerability in the security of the implemented
micro-architecture. The proposed modified micro-architecture is constructed
using five basic modules. These modules are; the message cache, the message
alignment module, the key cache, the comparator, and at last the encryption
module. In this work, we provide comprehensive simulation and implementation
results. These are: the timing diagrams, the post-implementation timing and
routing reports, and finally the floor plan. Moreover, a detailed comparison
with other FPGA implementations is made available and discussed.


title:
Behavioural Transformation to Improve Circuit Performance in High-Level
  Synthesis

abstract:
  Early scheduling algorithms usually adjusted the clock cycle duration to the
execution time of the slowest operation. This resulted in large slack times
wasted in those cycles executing faster operations. To reduce the wasted times
multi-cycle and chaining techniques have been employed. While these techniques
have produced successful designs, its effectiveness is often limited due to the
area increment that may derive from chaining, and the extra latencies that may
derive from multicycling. In this paper we present an optimization method that
solves the time-constrained scheduling problem by transforming behavioural
specifications into new ones whose subsequent synthesis substantially improves
circuit performance. Our proposal breaks up some of the specification
operations, allowing their execution during several possibly unconsecutive
cycles, and also the calculation of several data-dependent operation fragments
in the same cycle. To do so, it takes into account the circuit latency and the
execution time of every specification operation. The experimental results
carried out show that circuits obtained from the optimized specification are on
average 60% faster than those synthesized from the original specification, with
only slight increments in the circuit area.


title: Mutation Sampling Technique for the Generation of Structural Test Data

abstract:
  Our goal is to produce validation data that can be used as an efficient (pre)
test set for structural stuck-at faults. In this paper, we detail an original
test-oriented mutation sampling technique used for generating such data and we
present a first evaluation on these validation data with regard to a structural
test.


title: Hardware Engines for Bus Encryption: A Survey of Existing Techniques

abstract:
  The widening spectrum of applications and services provided by portable and
embedded devices bring a new dimension of concerns in security. Most of those
embedded systems (pay-TV, PDAs, mobile phones, etc...) make use of external
memory. As a result, the main problem is that data and instructions are
constantly exchanged between memory (RAM) and CPU in clear form on the bus.
This memory may contain confidential data like commercial software or private
contents, which either the end-user or the content provider is willing to
protect. The goal of this paper is to clearly describe the problem of
processor-memory bus communications in this regard and the existing techniques
applied to secure the communication channel through encryption - Performance
overheads implied by those solutions will be extensively discussed in this
paper.


title:
Singular polarimetry: Evolution of polarization singularities in
  electromagnetic waves propagating through a weakly anisotropic medium

abstract:
  We describe the evolution of a paraxial electromagnetic wave characterizing
by a non-uniform polarization distribution with singularities and propagating
in a weakly anisotropic medium. Our approach is based on the Stokes vector
evolution equation applied to a non-uniform initial polarization field. In the
case of a homogeneous medium, this equation is integrated analytically. This
yields a 3-dimensional distribution of the polarization parameters containing
singularities, i.e. C-lines of circular polarization and L-surfaces of linear
polarization. The general theory is applied to specific examples of the
unfolding of a vectorial vortex in birefringent and dichroic media.


title:
Modeling of a Reconfigurable OFDM IP Block Family For an RF System
  Simulator

abstract:
  The idea of design domain specific Mother Model of IP block family as a base
of modeling of system integration is presented here. A common reconfigurable
Mother Model for ten different standardized digital OFDM transmitters has been
developed. By means of a set of parameters, the mother model can be
reconfigured to any of the ten selected standards. So far the applicability of
the proposed reconfiguration and analog-digital co-modeling methods have been
proved by modeling the function of the digital parts of three, 802.11a, ADSL
and DRM, transmitters in an RF system simulator. The model is intended to be
used as signal source template in RF system simulations. The concept is not
restricted to signal sources, it can be applied to any IP block development.
The idea of the Mother Model will be applied in other design domains to prove
that in certain application areas, OFDM transceivers in this case, the design
process can progress simultaneously in different design domains - mixed signal,
system and RTL-architectural - without the need of high-level synthesis. Only
the Mother Models of three design domains are needed to be formally proved to
function as specified.


title: A VLSI Design Flow for Secure Side-Channel Attack Resistant ICs

abstract:
  This paper presents a digital VLSI design flow to create secure, side-channel
attack (SCA) resistant integrated circuits. The design flow starts from a
normal design in a hardware description language such as VHDL or Verilog and
provides a direct path to a SCA resistant layout. Instead of a full custom
layout or an iterative design process with extensive simulations, a few key
modifications are incorporated in a regular synchronous CMOS standard cell
design flow. We discuss the basis for side-channel attack resistance and adjust
the library databases and constraints files of the synthesis and place & route
procedures accordingly. Experimental results show that a DPA attack on a
regular single ended CMOS standard cell implementation of a module of the DES
algorithm discloses the secret key after 200 measurements. The same attack on a
secure version still does not disclose the secret key after more than 2000
measurements.


title: A Constraint Network Based Approach to Memory Layout Optimization

abstract:
  While loop restructuring based code optimization for array intensive
applications has been successful in the past, it has several problems such as
the requirement of checking dependences (legality issues) and transformation of
all of the array references within the loop body indiscriminately (while some
of the references can benefit from the transformation, others may not). As a
result, data transformations, i.e., transformations that modify memory layout
of array data instead of loop structure have been proposed. One of the problems
associated with data transformations is the difficulty of selecting a memory
layout for an array that is acceptable to the entire program (not just to a
single loop). In this paper, we formulate the problem of determining the memory
layouts of arrays as a constraint network, and explore several methods of
solution in a systematic way. Our experiments provide strong support in favor
of employing constraint processing, and point out future research directions.


title:
Fast and Accurate Transaction Level Modeling of an Extended AMBA2.0 Bus
  Architecture

abstract:
  Transaction Level Modeling (TLM) approach is used to meet the simulation
speed as well as cycle accuracy for large scale SoC performance analysis. We
implemented a transaction-level model of a proprietary bus called AHB+ which
supports an extended AMBA2.0 protocol. The AHB+ transaction-level model shows
353 times faster than pin-accurate RTL model while maintaining 97% of accuracy
on average. We also present the development procedure of TLM of a bus
architecture.


title: C Based Hardware Design for Wireless Applications

abstract:
  The algorithms used in wireless applications are increasingly more
sophisticated and consequently more challenging to implement in hardware.
Traditional design flows require developing the micro architecture, coding the
RTL, and verifying the generated RTL against the original functional C or
MATLAB specification. This paper describes a C-based design flow that is well
suited for the hardware implementation of DSP algorithms commonly found in
wireless applications. The C design flow relies on guided synthesis to generate
the RTL directly from the untimed C algorithm. The specifics of the C-based
design flow are described using a simple DSP filtering algorithm consisting of
a forward adaptive equalizer, a 64-QAM slicer and an adaptive decision feedback
equalizer. The example illustrates some of the capabilities and advantages
offered by this flow.


title:
Area Efficient Hardware Implementation of Elliptic Curve Cryptography by
  Iteratively Applying Karatsuba's Method

abstract:
  Securing communication channels is especially needed in wireless
environments. But applying cipher mechanisms in software is limited by the
calculation and energy resources of the mobile devices. If hardware is applied
to realize cryptographic operations cost becomes an issue. In this paper we
describe an approach which tackles all these three points. We implemented a
hardware accelerator for polynomial multiplication in extended Galois fields
(GF) applying Karatsuba's method iteratively. With this approach the area
consumption is reduced to 2.1 mm^2 in comparison to. 6.2 mm^2 for the standard
application of Karatsuba's method i.e. for recursive application. Our approach
also reduces the energy consumption to 60 per cent of the original approach.
The price we have to pay for these achievement is the increased execution time.
In our implementation a polynomial multiplication takes 3 clock cycles whereas
the recurisve Karatsuba approach needs only one clock cycle. But considering
area, energy and calculation speed we are convinced that the benefits of our
approach outweigh its drawback.


title: System Level Analysis of the Bluetooth Standard

abstract:
  The SystemC modules of the Link Manager Layer and Baseband Layer have been
designed in this work at behavioral level to analyze the performances of the
Bluetooth standard. In particular the probability of the creation of a piconet
in presence of noise in the channel and the power reduction using the sniff and
hold mode have been investigated.


title:
Area and Throughput Trade-Offs in the Design of Pipelined Discrete
  Wavelet Transform Architectures

abstract:
  The JPEG2000 standard defines the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) as a
linear space-to-frequency transform of the image domain in an irreversible
compression. This irreversible discrete wavelet transform is implemented by FIR
filter using 9/7 Daubechies coefficients or a lifting scheme of factorizated
coefficients from 9/7 Daubechies coefficients. This work investigates the
tradeoffs between area, power and data throughput (or operating frequency) of
several implementations of the Discrete Wavelet Transform using the lifting
scheme in various pipeline designs. This paper shows the results of five
different architectures synthesized and simulated in FPGAs. It concludes that
the descriptions with pipelined operators provide the best area-power-operating
frequency trade-off over non-pipelined operators descriptions. Those
descriptions require around 40% more hardware to increase the maximum operating
frequency up to 100% and reduce power consumption to less than 50%. Starting
from behavioral HDL descriptions provide the best area-power-operating
frequency trade-off, improving hardware cost and maximum operating frequency
around 30% in comparison to structural descriptions for the same power
requirement.


title: Queue Management in Network Processors

abstract:
  One of the main bottlenecks when designing a network processing system is
very often its memory subsystem. This is mainly due to the state-of-the-art
network links operating at very high speeds and to the fact that in order to
support advanced Quality of Service (QoS), a large number of independent queues
is desirable. In this paper we analyze the performance bottlenecks of various
data memory managers integrated in typical Network Processing Units (NPUs). We
expose the performance limitations of software implementations utilizing the
RISC processing cores typically found in most NPU architectures and we identify
the requirements for hardware assisted memory management in order to achieve
wire-speed operation at gigabit per second rates. Furthermore, we describe the
architecture and performance of a hardware memory manager that fulfills those
requirements. This memory manager, although it is implemented in a
reconfigurable technology, it can provide up to 6.2Gbps of aggregate
throughput, while handling 32K independent queues.


title: picoArray Technology: The Tool's Story

abstract:
  This paper briefly describes the picoArray? architecture, and in particular
the deterministic internal communication fabric. The methods that have been
developed for debugging and verifying systems using devices from the picoArray
family are explained. In order to maximize the computational ability of these
devices, hardware debugging support has been kept to a minimum and the methods
and tools developed to take this into account.


title: Direct Conversion Pulsed UWB Transceiver Architecture

abstract:
  Ultra-wideband (UWB) communication is an emerging wireless technology that
promises high data rates over short distances and precise locationing. The
large available bandwidth and the constraint of a maximum power spectral
density drives a unique set of system challenges. This paper addresses these
challenges using two UWB transceivers and a discrete prototype platform.


title: Power Saving Techniques for Wireless LANs

abstract:
  Fast wireless access has rapidly become commonplace. Wireless access points
and Hotspot servers are sprouting everywhere. Battery lifetime continues to be
a critical issue in mobile computing. This paper first gives an overview of
WLAN energy saving strategies, followed by an illustration of a system-level
methodology for saving power in heterogeneous wireless environments.


title: Performance Considerations for an Embedded Implementation of OMA DRM 2

abstract:
  As digital content services gain importance in the mobile world, Digital
Rights Management (DRM) applications will become a key component of mobile
terminals. This paper examines the effect dedicated hardware macros for
specific cryptographic functions have on the performance of a mobile terminal
that supports version 2 of the open standard for Digital Rights Management
defined by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA). Following a general description of
the standard, the paper contains a detailed analysis of the cryptographic
operations that have to be carried out before protected content can be
accessed. The combination of this analysis with data on execution times for
specific algorithms realized in hardware and software has made it possible to
build a model which has allowed us to assert that hardware acceleration for
specific cryptographic algorithms can significantly reduce the impact DRM has
on a mobile terminal's processing performance and battery life.


title: Wireless LAN: Past, Present, and Future

abstract:
  This paper retraces the historical development of wireless LAN technology in
the context of the pursuit of ever higher data rate, describes the significant
technical breakthroughs that are now occurring, and speculates on future
directions that the technology may take over the remainder of the decade. The
challenges that these developments have created for low power operation are
considered, as well as some of the opportunities that are presented to mitigate
them. The importance of MIMO as an emerging technology for 802.11 is
specifically highlighted, both in terms of the significant increase in data
rate and range that it enables as well as the considerable challenge that it
presents for the development of low power wireless LAN products.


title:
A High Quality/Low Computational Cost Technique for Block Matching
  Motion Estimation

abstract:
  Motion estimation is the most critical process in video coding systems. First
of all, it has a definitive impact on the rate-distortion performance given by
the video encoder. Secondly, it is the most computationally intensive process
within the encoding loop. For these reasons, the design of high-performance
low-cost motion estimators is a crucial task in the video compression field. An
adaptive cost block matching (ACBM) motion estimation technique is presented in
this paper, featuring an excellent tradeoff between the quality of the
reconstructed video sequences and the computational effort. Simulation results
demonstrate that the ACBM algorithm achieves a slight better rate-distortion
performance than the one given by the well-known full search algorithm block
matching algorithm with reductions of up to 95% in the computational load.


title:
ISEGEN: Generation of High-Quality Instruction Set Extensions by
  Iterative Improvement

abstract:
  Customization of processor architectures through Instruction Set Extensions
(ISEs) is an effective way to meet the growing performance demands of embedded
applications. A high-quality ISE generation approach needs to obtain results
close to those achieved by experienced designers, particularly for complex
applications that exhibit regularity: expert designers are able to exploit
manually such regularity in the data flow graphs to generate high-quality ISEs.
In this paper, we present ISEGEN, an approach that identifies high-quality ISEs
by iterative improvement following the basic principles of the well-known
Kernighan-Lin (K-L) min-cut heuristic. Experimental results on a number of
MediaBench, EEMBC and cryptographic applications show that our approach matches
the quality of the optimal solution obtained by exhaustive search. We also show
that our ISEGEN technique is on average 20x faster than a genetic formulation
that generates equivalent solutions. Furthermore, the ISEs identified by our
technique exhibit 35% more speedup than the genetic solution on a large
cryptographic application (AES) by effectively exploiting its regular
structure.


title: Multimedia Applications of Multiprocessor Systems-on-Chips

abstract:
  This paper surveys the characteristics of multimedia systems. Multimedia
applications today are dominated by compression and decompression, but
multimedia devices must also implement many other functions such as security
and file management. We introduce some basic concepts of multimedia algorithms
and the larger set of functions that multimedia systems-on-chips must
implement.


title: Testing Bell inequalities with photon-subtracted Gaussian states

abstract:
  Recently, photon subtracted Gaussian states (PSGSs) were generated by several
experimental groups. Those states were called "Schr\"odinger kittens" due to
their similarities to superpositions of coherent states (SCSs) with small
amplitudes. We compare the ideal SCSs and the PSGSs for experimental tests of
certain types of Bell inequalities. In particular, we analyze the effects of
the key experimental components used to generate PSGSs: mixedness of the
Gaussian states, limited transmittivity of the beam splitter and the avalanche
photodetector which cannot resolve photon numbers. As a result of this
analysis, the degrees of mixedness and the beam splitter transmittivity that
can be allowed for successful tests of Bell inequalities are revealed.


title: A Coprocessor for Accelerating Visual Information Processing

abstract:
  Visual information processing will play an increasingly important role in
future electronics systems. In many applications, e.g. video surveillance
cameras, data throughput of microprocessors is not sufficient and power
consumption is too high. Instruction profiling on a typical test algorithm has
shown that pixel address calculations are the dominant operations to be
optimized. Therefore AddressLib, a structured scheme for pixel addressing was
developed, that can be accelerated by AddressEngine, a coprocessor for visual
information processing. In this paper, the architectural design of
AddressEngine is described, which in the first step supports a subset of the
AddressLib. Dataflow and memory organization are optimized during architectural
design. AddressEngine was implemented in a FPGA and was tested with MPEG-7
Global Motion Estimation algorithm. Results on processing speed and circuit
complexity are given and compared to a pure software implementation. The next
step will be the support for the full AddressLib, including segment addressing.
An outlook on further investigations on dynamic reconfiguration capabilities is
given.


title: FPGA based Agile Algorithm-On-Demand Co-Processor

abstract:
  With growing computational needs of many real-world applications, frequently
changing specifications of standards, and the high design and NRE costs of
ASICs, an algorithm-agile FPGA based co-processor has become a viable
alternative. In this article, we report about the general design of an
algorith-agile co-processor and the proof-of-concept implementation.


title: Meeting the Embedded Design Needs of Automotive Applications

abstract:
  The importance of embedded systems in driving innovation in automotive
applications continues to grow. Understanding the specific needs of developers
targeting this market is also helping to drive innovation in RISC core design.
This paper describes how a RISC instruction set architecture has evolved to
better meet those needs, and the key implementation features in two very
different RISC cores are used to demonstrate the challenges of designing for
real-time automotive systems.


title:
The Integration of On-Line Monitoring and Reconfiguration Functions
  using EDAA - European design and Automation Association1149.4 Into a Safety
  Critical Automotive Electronic Control Unit

abstract:
  This paper presents an innovative application of EDAA - European design and
Automation Association 1149.4 and the Integrated Diagnostic Reconfiguration
(IDR) as tools for the implementation of an embedded test solution for an
Automotive Electronic Control Unit implemented as a fully integrated mixed
signal system. The paper described how the test architecture can be used for
fault avoidance with results from a hardware prototype presented. The paper
concludes that fault avoidance can be integrated into mixed signal electronic
systems to handle key failure modes.


title:
Debug Support, Calibration and Emulation for Multiple Processor and
  Powertrain Control SoCs

abstract:
  The introduction of complex SoCs with multiple processor cores presents new
development challenges, such that development support is now a decisive factor
when choosing a System-on-Chip (SoC). The presented developments support
strategy addresses the challenges using both architecture and technology
approaches. The Multi-Core Debug Support (MCDS) architecture provides flexible
triggering using cross triggers and a multiple core break and suspend switch.
Temporal trace ordering is guaranteed down to cycle level by on-chip time
stamping. The Package Sized-ICE (PSI) approach is a novel method of including
trace buffers, overlay memories, processing resources and communication
interfaces without changing device behavior. PSI requires no external emulation
box, as the debug host interfaces directly with the SoC using a standard
interface.


title: Bounds for Visual Cryptography Schemes

abstract:
  In this paper, we investigate the best pixel expansion of the various models
of visual cryptography schemes. In this regard, we consider visual cryptography
schemes introduced by Tzeng and Hu [13]. In such a model, only minimal
qualified sets can recover the secret image and that the recovered secret image
can be darker or lighter than the background. Blundo et al. [4] introduced a
lower bound for the best pixel expansion of this scheme in terms of minimal
qualified sets. We present another lower bound for the best pixel expansion of
the scheme. As a corollary, we introduce a lower bound, based on an induced
matching of hypergraph of qualified sets, for the best pixel expansion of the
aforementioned model and the traditional model of visual cryptography realized
by basis matrices. Finally, we study access structures based on graphs and we
present an upper bound for the smallest pixel expansion in terms of strong
chromatic index.


title: AutoMoDe - Model-Based Development of Automotive Software

abstract:
  This paper describes first results from the AutoMoDe (Automotive Model-Based
Development) project. The overall goal of the project is to develop an
integrated methodology for model-based development of automotive control
software, based on problem-specific design notations with an explicit formal
foundation. Based on the existing AutoFOCUS framework, a tool prototype is
being developed in order to illustrate and validate the key elements of our
approach.


title:
Violation of Generalized Bose-Einstein symmetry and quantum entanglement
  of pi(-)pi(+) isospin states in pion pair production piN->pi(-)pi(+)N

abstract:
  Generalized Bose-Einstein symmetry requires that J+I=even for two-pion
angular states of spin J and total isospin I. We show that the symmetry
predicts three linearly independent constraints on partial wave intensities
with even spin for pi(-)p->pi(-)pi(+)n, pi(-)p->pi(0)pi(0)n and
pi(+)p->pi(+)pi(+)n. Available data violate all three constraints for S, D^0,
D^U and D^N partial waves. The violations of the symmetry imply a presence of
the symmetry violating contributions to transversity amplitudes in
pi(-)p->pi(-)pi(+)n and predict quantum entanglement of pi(-)pi(+) isospin
states which is excluded by the symmetry. We derive approximate lower and upper
bounds on entanglement amplitudes |a_S| and |a_A|. The bounds provide a clear
evidence for entanglement of pi(-)pi(+) isospin states below 840 MeV and
suggest the entanglement at higher dipion masses. The small values of |a_S|
\sim 0.10-0.20 below 840 MeV explain the puzzling differences between the
S-wave intensities in pi(-)p->pi(-)pi(+)n and pi(-)p->pi(0)pi(0)n and reveal a
suppression of isospin I=0,2 contribution in the S-wave amplitudes in
pi(-)p->pi(-)pi(+)n. The large isospin I=1 contribution of rho^0(770) to both
S- and P-wave amplitudes is due to large entanglement amplitude |a_A| \sim
0.98-0.99. These findings confirm the predictions of a model of non-unitary
dynamics of the pion creation processes arising from a CPT violating
interaction of these processes with a quantum environment.


title: LC Oscillator Driver for Safety Critical Applications

abstract:
  A CMOS harmonic signal LC oscillator driver for automotive applications
working in a harsh environment with high safety critical requirements is
described. The driver can be used with a wide range of external components
parameters (LC resonance network of a sensor). Quality factor of the external
LC network can vary two decades. Amplitude regulation of the driver is
digitally controlled and the DAC is constructed as exponential with
piece-wise-linear (PWL) approximation. Low current consumption for high quality
resonance networks is achieved. Realized oscillator is robust, used in safety
critical application and has low EMC emissions.


title: SystemC Analysis of a New Dynamic Power Management Architecture

abstract:
  This paper presents a new dynamic power management architecture of a System
on Chip. The Power State Machine describing the status of the core follows the
recommendations of the ACPI standard. The algorithm controls the power states
of each block on the basis of battery status, chip temperature and a user
defined task priority.


title:
Exploiting Real-Time FPGA Based Adaptive Systems Technology for
  Real-Time Sensor Fusion in Next Generation Automotive Safety Systems

abstract:
  We present a system for the boresighting of sensors using inertial
measurement devices as the basis for developing a range of dynamic real-time
sensor fusion applications. The proof of concept utilizes a COTS FPGA platform
for sensor fusion and real-time correction of a misaligned video sensor. We
exploit a custom-designed 32-bit soft processor core and C-based design &
synthesis for rapid, platform-neutral development. Kalman filter and sensor
fusion techniques established in advanced aviation systems are applied to
automotive vehicles with results exceeding typical industry requirements for
sensor alignment. Results of the static and the dynamic tests demonstrate that
using inexpensive accelerometers mounted on (or during assembly of) a sensor
and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) fixed to a vehicle can be used to
compute the misalignment of the sensor to the IMU and thus vehicle. In some
cases the model predications and test results exceeded the requirements by an
order of magnitude with a 3-sigma or 99% confidence.


title: Platform Based Design for Automotive Sensor Conditioning

abstract:
  In this paper a general architecture suitable to interface several kinds of
sensors for automotive applications is presented. A platform based design
approach is pursued to improve system performance while minimizing
time-to-market.. The platform is composed by an analog front-end and a digital
section. The latter is based on a microcontroller core (8051 IP by Oregano)
plus a set of dedicated hardware dedicated to the complex signal processing
required for sensor conditioning. The microcontroller handles also the
communication with external devices (as a PC) for data output and fast
prototyping. A case study is presented concerning the conditioning of a Gyro
yaw rate sensor for automotive applications. Measured performance results
outperform current state-of-the-art commercial devices.


title: A CMOS-Based Tactile Sensor for Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring

abstract:
  A monolithic integrated tactile sensor array is presented, which is used to
perform non-invasive blood pressure monitoring of a patient. The advantage of
this device compared to a hand cuff based approach is the capability of
recording continuous blood pressure data. The capacitive, membrane-based sensor
device is fabricated in an industrial CMOS-technology combined with post-CMOS
micromachining. The capacitance change is detected by a S?-modulator. The
modulator is operated at a sampling rate of 128kS/s and achieves a resolution
of 12bit with an external decimation filter and an OSR of 128.


title:
A Tool and Methodology for AC-Stability Analysis of Continuous-Time
  Closed-Loop Systems

abstract:
  Presented are a methodology and a DFII-based tool for AC-stability analysis
of a wide variety of closed-loop continuous-time (operational amplifiers and
other linear circuits). The methodology used allows for easy identification and
diagnostics of ac-stability problems including not only main-loop effects but
also local-instability loops in current mirrors, bias circuits and emitter or
source followers without breaking the loop. The results of the analysis are
easy to interpret. Estimated phase margin is readily available. Instability
nodes and loops along with their respective oscillation frequencies are
immediately identified and mapped to the existing circuit nodes thus offering
significant advantages compared to traditional "black-box" methods of stability
analysis (Transient Overshoot, Bode and Phase margin plots etc.). The tool for
AC-Stability analysis is written in SKILL? and is fully integrated in DFII?
environment. Its "push-button" graphical user interface (GUI) is easy to use
and understand. The tool can be invoked directly from Composer? schematic and
does not require active Analog Artist? session. The tool is not dependent on
the use of a specific fabrication technology or Process Design Kit
customization. It requires OCEAN?, Spectre? and Waveform calculator
capabilities to run.


title:
Color transparency and short-range correlations in exclusive pion photo-
  and electroproduction from nuclei

abstract:
  A relativistic and quantum mechanical framework to compute nuclear
transparencies for pion photo- and electroproduction reactions is presented.
Final-state interactions for the ejected pions and nucleons are implemented in
a relativistic eikonal approach. At sufficiently large ejectile energies, a
relativistic Glauber model can be adopted. At lower energies, the framework
possesses the flexibility to use relativistic optical potentials. The proposed
model can account for the color-transparency (CT) phenomenon and short-range
correlations (SRC) in the nucleus. Results are presented for kinematics
corresponding to completed and planned experiments at Jefferson Lab. The
influence of CT and SRC on the nuclear transparency is studied. Both the SRC
and CT mechanisms increase the nuclear transparency. The two mechanisms can be
clearly separated, though, as they exhibit a completely different dependence on
the hard scale parameter. The nucleon and pion transparencies as computed in
the relativistic Glauber approach are compared with optical-potential and
semi-classical calculations. The similarities in the trends and magnitudes of
the nuclear transparencies indicate that they are not subject to strong model
dependencies.


title: A 6bit, 1.2GSps Low-Power Flash-ADC in 0.13$\mu$m Digital CMOS

abstract:
  A 6bit flash-ADC with 1.2GSps, wide analog bandwidth and low power, realized
in a standard digital 0.13 $\mu$m CMOS copper technology is presented.
Employing capacitive interpolation gives various advantages when designing for
low power: no need for a reference resistor ladder, implicit sample-and-hold
operation, no edge effects in the interpolation network (as compared to
resistive interpolation), and a very low input capacitance of only 400fF, which
leads to an easily drivable analog converter interface. Operating at 1.2GSps
the ADC achieves an effective resolution bandwidth (ERBW) of 700MHz, while
consuming 160mW of power. At 600MSps we achieve an ERBW of 600MHz with only
90mW power consumption, both from a 1.5V supply. This corresponds to
outstanding Figure-of-Merit numbers (FoM) of 2.2 and 1.5pJ/convstep,
respectively. The module area is 0.12mm^2.


title: A 97mW 110MS/s 12b Pipeline ADC Implemented in 0.18$\mu$m Digital CMOS

abstract:
  A 12 bit Pipeline ADC fabricated in a 0.18 $\mu$m pure digital CMOS
technology is presented. Its nominal conversion rate is 110MS/s and the nominal
supply voltage is 1.8V. The effective number of bits is 10.4 when a 10MHz input
signal with 2V_{P-P} signal swing is applied. The occupied silicon area is
0.86mm^2 and the power consumption equals 97mW. A switched capacitor bias
current circuit scale the bias current automatically with the conversion rate,
which gives scaleable power consumption and full performance of the ADC from 20
to 140MS/s.


title:
Testing Logic Cores using a BIST P1500 Compliant Approach: A Case of
  Study

abstract:
  In this paper we describe how we applied a BIST-based approach to the test of
a logic core to be included in System-on-a-chip (SoC) environments. The
approach advantages are the ability to protect the core IP, the simple test
interface (thanks also to the adoption of the P1500 standard), the possibility
to run the test at-speed, the reduced test time, and the good diagnostic
capabilities. The paper reports figures about the achieved fault coverage, the
required area overhead, and the performance slowdown, and compares the figures
with those for alternative approaches, such as those based on full scan and
sequential ATPG.


title: Electronic structure of the c(4 x 2) reconstructed Ge(001) surface

abstract:
  We investigate the electronic structure of the c(4 x 2) reconstructed Ge(001)
surface using band structure calculations based on density functional theory
and the generalized gradient approximation. In particular, we take into account
the details of surface reconstruction by means of well relaxed crystal
structures. The surface electronic states are identified and the local density
of states is compared to recent data from scanning tunneling spectroscopy. We
obtain almost perfect agreement between theory and experiment for both the
occupied and unoccupied states, which allows us to clarify the interpretation
of the experimental data.


title:
Using Mobilize Power Management IP for Dynamic & Static Power Reduction
  in SoC at 130 nm

abstract:
  At 130 nm and 90 nm, power consumption (both dynamic and static) has become a
barrier in the roadmap for SoC designs targeting battery powered, mobile
applications. This paper presents the results of dynamic and static power
reduction achieved implementing Tensilica's 32-bit Xtensa microprocessor core,
using Virtual Silicon's Power Management IP. Independent voltage islands are
created using Virtual Silicon's VIP PowerSaver standard cells by using voltage
level shifting cells and voltage isolation cells to implement power islands.
The VIP PowerSaver standard cells are characterized at 1.2V, 1.0V and 0.8V, to
accommodate voltage scaling. Power islands can also be turned off completely.
Designers can significantly lower both the dynamic power and the quiescent or
leakage power of their SoC designs, with very little impact on speed or area
using Virtual Silicon's VIP Gate Bias standard cells.


title: MultiNoC: A Multiprocessing System Enabled by a Network on Chip

abstract:
  The MultiNoC system implements a programmable on-chip multiprocessing
platform built on top of an efficient, low area overhead intra-chip
interconnection scheme. The employed interconnection structure is a Network on
Chip, or NoC. NoCs are emerging as a viable alternative to increasing demands
on interconnection architectures, due to the following characteristics: (i)
energy efficiency and reliability; (ii) scalability of bandwidth, when compared
to traditional bus architectures; (iii) reusability; (iv) distributed routing
decisions. An external host computer feeds MultiNoC with application
instructions and data. After this initialization procedure, MultiNoC executes
some algorithm. After finishing execution of the algorithm, output data can be
read back by the host. Sequential or parallel algorithms conveniently adapted
to the MultiNoC structure can be executed. The main motivation to propose this
design is to enable the investigation of current trends to increase the number
of embedded processors in SoCs, leading to the concept of "sea of processors"
systems.


title:
A Partitioning Methodology for Accelerating Applications in Hybrid
  Reconfigurable Platforms

abstract:
  In this paper, we propose a methodology for partitioning and mapping
computational intensive applications in reconfigurable hardware blocks of
different granularity. A generic hybrid reconfigurable architecture is
considered so as the methodology can be applicable to a large number of
heterogeneous reconfigurable platforms. The methodology mainly consists of two
stages, the analysis and the mapping of the application onto fine and
coarse-grain hardware resources. A prototype framework consisting of analysis,
partitioning and mapping tools has been also developed. For the coarse-grain
reconfigurable hardware, we use our previous-developed high-performance
coarse-grain data-path. In this work, the methodology is validated using two
real-world applications, an OFDM transmitter and a JPEG encoder. In the case of
the OFDM transmitter, a maximum clock cycles decrease of 82% relative to the
ones in an all fine-grain mapping solution is achieved. The corresponding
performance improvement for the JPEG is 43%.


title: Evaluation of SystemC Modelling of Reconfigurable Embedded Systems

abstract:
  This paper evaluates the use of pin and cycle accurate SystemC models for
embedded system design exploration and early software development. The target
system is MicroBlaze VanillaNet Platform running MicroBlaze uClinux operating
system. The paper compares Register Transfer Level (RTL) Hardware Description
Language (HDL) simulation speed to the simulation speed of several different
SystemC models. It is shown that simulation speed of pin and cycle accurate
models can go up to 150 kHz, compared to 100 Hz range of HDL simulation.
Furthermore, utilising techniques that temporarily compromise cycle accuracy,
effective simulation speed of up to 500 kHz can be obtained.


title:
An Integrated Design and Verification Methodology for Reconfigurable
  Multimedia Systems

abstract:
  Recently a lot of multimedia applications are emerging on portable
appliances. They require both the flexibility of upgradeable devices
(traditionally software based) and a powerful computing engine (typically
hardware). In this context, programmable HW and dynamic reconfiguration allow
novel approaches to the migration of algorithms from SW to HW. Thus, in the
frame of the Symbad project, we propose an industrial design flow for
reconfigurable SoC's. The goal of Symbad consists of developing a system level
design platform for hardware and software SoC systems including formal and
semi-formal verification techniques.


title: Bayesian sequential change diagnosis

abstract:
  Sequential change diagnosis is the joint problem of detection and
identification of a sudden and unobservable change in the distribution of a
random sequence. In this problem, the common probability law of a sequence of
i.i.d. random variables suddenly changes at some disorder time to one of
finitely many alternatives. This disorder time marks the start of a new regime,
whose fingerprint is the new law of observations. Both the disorder time and
the identity of the new regime are unknown and unobservable. The objective is
to detect the regime-change as soon as possible, and, at the same time, to
determine its identity as accurately as possible. Prompt and correct diagnosis
is crucial for quick execution of the most appropriate measures in response to
the new regime, as in fault detection and isolation in industrial processes,
and target detection and identification in national defense. The problem is
formulated in a Bayesian framework. An optimal sequential decision strategy is
found, and an accurate numerical scheme is described for its implementation.
Geometrical properties of the optimal strategy are illustrated via numerical
examples. The traditional problems of Bayesian change-detection and Bayesian
sequential multi-hypothesis testing are solved as special cases. In addition, a
solution is obtained for the problem of detection and identification of
component failure(s) in a system with suspended animation.


title: A Formal Verification Methodology for Checking Data Integrity

abstract:
  Formal verification techniques have been playing an important role in
pre-silicon validation processes. One of the most important points considered
in performing formal verification is to define good verification scopes; we
should define clearly what to be verified formally upon designs under tests. We
considered the following three practical requirements when we defined the scope
of formal verification. They are (a) hard to verify (b) small to handle, and
(c) easy to understand. Our novel approach is to break down generic properties
for system into stereotype properties in block level and to define requirements
for Verifiable RTL. Consequently, each designer instead of verification experts
can describe properties of the design easily, and formal model checking can be
applied systematically and thoroughly to all the leaf modules. During the
development of a component chip for server platforms, we focused on RAS
(Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability) features and described more
than 2000 properties in PSL. As a result of the formal verification, we found
several critical logic bugs in a short time with limited resources, and
successfully verified all of them. This paper presents a study of the
functional verification methodology.


title: Laser-to-proton energy transfer efficiency in laser-plasma interactions

abstract:
  It is shown that the energy of protons accelerated in laser-matter
interaction experiments may be significantly increased through the process of
splitting the incoming laser pulse into multiple interaction stages of equal
intensity. From a thermodynamic point of view, the splitting procedure can be
viewed as an effective way of increasing the efficiency of energy transfer from
the laser light to protons, which peaks for processes having the least amount
of entropy gain. It is predicted that it should be possible to achieve $\apprge
100%$ increase in the energy efficiency in a six-stage laser proton accelerator
compared to a single laser-target interaction scheme.


title:
Hardware Support for QoS-based Function Allocation in Reconfigurable
  Systems

abstract:
  This contribution presents a new approach for allocating suitable
function-implementation variants depending on given quality-of-service
function-requirements for run-time reconfigurable multi-device systems. Our
approach adapts methodologies from the domain of knowledge-based systems which
can be used for doing run-time hardware/software resource usage optimizations.


title: Common Reusable Verification Environment for BCA and RTL Models

abstract:
  This paper deals with a common verification methodology and environment for
SystemC BCA and RTL models. The aim is to save effort by avoiding the same work
done twice by different people and to reuse the same environment for the two
design views. Applying this methodology the verification task starts as soon as
the functional specification is signed off and it runs in parallel to the
models and design development. The verification environment is modeled with the
aid of dedicated verification languages and it is applied to both the models.
The test suite is exactly the same and thus it's possible to verify the
alignment between the two models. In fact the final step is to check the
cycle-by-cycle match of the interface behavior. A regression tool and a bus
analyzer have been developed to help the verification and the alignment
process. The former is used to automate the testbench generation and to run the
two test suites. The latter is used to verify the alignment between the two
models comparing the waveforms obtained in each run. The quality metrics used
to validate the flow are full functional coverage and full alignment at each IP
port.


title: An Assembler Driven Verification Methodology (ADVM)

abstract:
  This paper presents an overview of an assembler driven verification
methodology (ADVM) that was created and implemented for a chip card project at
Infineon Technologies AG. The primary advantage of this methodology is that it
enables rapid porting of directed tests to new targets and derivatives, with
only a minimum amount of code refactoring. As a consequence, considerable
verification development time and effort was saved.


title:
Erratum: Propagation Effects on the Breakdown of a Linear Amplifier
  Model: Complex-Mass Schrodinger Equation Driven by the Square of a Gaussian
  Field

abstract:
  The proof of the inequality $\lambda_{q}(x,t)\le (q\mu_{x,t} -0^+)^{-1}$ [p
750, below Eq. (29)] is based on the statement that ${\cal E}(x,t;s)$ is an
entire function of $s\in {\mathbb C}^M$ [see below Eq. (30)]. But according to
Equation (9) and Lemma 1, all we know is that ${\cal E}(x,t;s)$ is an entire
function of $k(s)\in {\mathbb R}^N$. Nevertheless, the above inequality holds,
hence the proposition 1.


title: Big bang nucleosynthesis as a probe of fundamental "constants"

abstract:
  Big Bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) is the earliest sensitive probe of the values
of many fundamental particle physics parameters. We have found the leading
linear dependences of primordial abundances on all relevant parameters of the
standard BBN code, including binding energies and nuclear reaction rates. This
enables us to set limits on possible variations of fundamental parameters. We
find that 7Li is expected to be significantly more sensitive than other species
to many fundamental parameters, a result which also holds for variations of
coupling strengths in grand unified (GUT) models. Our work also indicates which
areas of nuclear theory need further development if the values of ``constants''
are to be more accurately probed.


title: Radiative Penguin B Decays at the B Factories

abstract:
  In this article, I review the most recent results in radiative penguin decays
from the B factories Belle and Babar. Most notably, I will talk about the
recent new observations in the decays B -> (rho/omega) gamma, a new analysis
technique in b -> s gamma, and first measurements of radiative penguin decays
in the B_s meson system. Finally, I will summarize the current status and
future prospects of radiative penguin B physics at the B factories.


title:
Extending the scope of microscopic solvability: Combination of the
  Kruskal-Segur method with Zauderer decomposition

abstract:
  Successful applications of the Kruskal-Segur approach to interfacial pattern
formation have remained limited due to the necessity of an integral formulation
of the problem. This excludes nonlinear bulk equations, rendering convection
intractable. Combining the method with Zauderer's asymptotic decomposition
scheme, we are able to strongly extend its scope of applicability and solve
selection problems based on free boundary formulations in terms of partial
differential equations alone. To demonstrate the technique, we give the first
analytic solution of the problem of velocity selection for dendritic growth in
a forced potential flow.


title: Scintillation light produced by low-energy beams of highly-charged ions

abstract:
  Measurements have been performed of scintillation light intensities emitted
from various inorganic scintillators irradiated with low-energy beams of
highly-charged ions from an electron beam ion source (EBIS) and an electron
cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS). Beams of xenon ions Xe$^{q+}$ with
various charge states between $q$=2 and $q$=18 have been used at energies
between 5 keV and 17.5 keV per charge generated by the ECRIS. The intensity of
the beam was typically varied between 1 and 100 nA. Beams of highly charged
residual gas ions have been produced by the EBIS at 4.5 keV per charge and with
low intensities down to 100 pA. The scintillator materials used are flat
screens of P46 YAG and P43 phosphor. In all cases, scintillation light emitted
from the screen surface was detected by a CCD camera. The scintillation light
intensity has been found to depend linearly on the kinetic ion energy per time
deposited into the scintillator, while up to $q$=18 no significant contribution
from the ions' potential energy was found. We discuss the results on the
background of a possible use as beam diagnostics e.g. for the new HITRAP
facility at GSI, Germany.


title:
Experimentally feasible quantum erasure-correcting code for continuous
  variables

abstract:
  We devise a scheme that protects quantum coherent states of light from
probabilistic losses, thus achieving the first continuous-variable quantum
erasure-correcting code. If the occurrence of erasures can be probed, then the
decoder enables, in principle, a perfect recovery of the original light states.
Otherwise, if supplemented with postselection based on homodyne detection, this
code can be turned into an efficient erasure-filtration scheme. The
experimental feasibility of the proposed protocol is carefully addressed.


title: Orbital eccentricities of binary systems with a former AGB star

abstract:
  Many binary stellar systems in which the primary star is beyond the
asymptotic giant branch (AGB) evolutionary phase show significant orbital
eccentricities whereas current binary interaction models predict their orbits
to be circularised. We analyse how the orbital parameters in a system are
modified under mass loss and mass exchange among its binary components and
propose a model for enhanced mass-loss from the AGB star due to tidal
interaction with its companion, which allows a smooth transition between the
wind and Roche-lobe overflow mass-loss regimes. We explicitly follow its effect
along the orbit on the change of eccentricity and orbital semi-major axis, as
well as the effect of accretion by the companion. We calculate timescales for
the variation of these orbital parameters and compare them to the tidal
circularisation timescale. We find that in many cases, due to the enhanced mass
loss of the AGB component at orbital phases closer to the periastron, the net
eccentricity growth rate in one orbit is comparable to the rate of tidal
circularisation. We show that with this eccentricity enhancing mechanism it is
possible to reproduce the orbital period and eccentricity of the Sirius system,
which under the standard assumptions of binary interaction is expected to be
circularised. We also show that this mechanism may provide an explanation for
the eccentricities of most barium star systems, which are expected to be
circularised due to tidal dissipation. By proposing a tidally enhanced model of
mass loss from AGB stars we find a mechanism which efficiently works against
the tidal circularisation of the orbit, which explains the significant
eccentricities observed in binary systems containing a white dwarf and a less
evolved companion, such as Sirius and systems with barium stars.


title: Loschmidt cooling by time reversal of atomic matter waves

abstract:
  We propose an experimental scheme which allows to realize approximate time
reversal of matter waves for ultracold atoms in the regime of quantum chaos. We
show that a significant fraction of the atoms return back to their original
state, being at the same time cooled down by several orders of magnitude. We
give a theoretical description of this effect supported by extensive numerical
simulations. The proposed scheme can be implemented with existing experimental
setups.


title: Van der Corput sets in Z^d

abstract:
  In this partly expository paper we study van der Corput sets in $\Z^d$, with
a focus on connections with harmonic analysis and recurrence properties of
measure preserving dynamical systems. We prove multidimensional versions of
some classical results obtained for $d=1$ in \cite{K-MF} and \cite{R},
establish new characterizations, introduce and discuss some modifications of
van der Corput sets which correspond to various notions of recurrence, provide
numerous examples and formulate some natural open questions.


title: Intersective polynomials and polynomial Szemeredi theorem

abstract:
  Let $P=\{p_{1},\ld,p_{r}\}\subset\Q[n_{1},\ld,n_{m}]$ be a family of
polynomials such that $p_{i}(\Z^{m})\sle\Z$, $i=1,\ld,r$. We say that the
family $P$ has {\it PSZ property} if for any set $E\sle\Z$ with
$d^{*}(E)=\limsup_{N-M\ras\infty}\frac{|E\cap[M,N-1]|}{N-M}>0$ there exist
infinitely many $n\in\Z^{m}$ such that $E$ contains a polynomial progression of
the form \hbox{$\{a,a+p_{1}(n),\ld,a+p_{r}(n)\}$}. We prove that a polynomial
family $P=\{p_{1},\ld,p_{r}\}$ has PSZ property if and only if the polynomials
$p_{1},\ld,p_{r}$ are {\it jointly intersective}, meaning that for any $k\in\N$
there exists $n\in\Z^{m}$ such that the integers $p_{1}(n),\ld,p_{r}(n)$ are
all divisible by $k$. To obtain this result we give a new ergodic proof of the
polynomial Szemer\'{e}di theorem, based on the fact that the key to the
phenomenon of polynomial multiple recurrence lies with the dynamical systems
defined by translations on nilmanifolds. We also obtain, as a corollary, the
following generalization of the polynomial van der Waerden theorem: If
$p_{1},\ld,p_{r}\in\Q[n]$ are jointly intersective integral polynomials, then
for any finite partition of $\Z$, $\Z=\bigcup_{i=1}^{k}E_{i}$, there exist
$i\in\{1,\ld,k\}$ and $a,n\in E_{i}$ such that
$\{a,a+p_{1}(n),\ld,a+p_{r}(n)\}\sln E_{i}$.


title: Near-infrared adaptive optics imaging of high redshift quasars

abstract:
  The properties of high redshift quasar host galaxies are studied, in order to
investigate the connection between galaxy evolution, nuclear activity, and the
formation of supermassive black holes. We combine new near-infrared
observations of three high redshift quasars (2 < z < 3), obtained at the ESO
Very Large Telescope equipped with adaptive optics, with selected data from the
literature. For the three new objects we were able to detect and characterize
the properties of the host galaxy, found to be consistent with those of massive
elliptical galaxies of M(R) ~ -24.7 for the one radio loud quasar, and M(R) ~
-23.8 for the two radio quiet quasars. When combined with existing data at
lower redshift, these new observations depict a scenario where the host
galaxies of radio loud quasars are seen to follow the expected trend of
luminous (~5L*) elliptical galaxies undergoing passive evolution. This trend is
remarkably similar to that followed by radio galaxies at z > 1.5. Radio quiet
quasars hosts also follow a similar trend but at a lower average luminosity
(~0.5 mag dimmer). The data indicate that quasar host galaxies are already
fully formed at epochs as early as ~2 Gyr after the Big Bang and then passively
fade in luminosity to the present epoch.


title:
Conformal invariance and finiteness theorems for non-planar
  beta-deformed N=4 SYM theory

abstract:
  We study the conformal invariance of non-planar beta-deformed N=4 SYM theory
using the coupling constant reduction (CCR) formalism. We show that up to order
g^10, differently from the planar case, we can remove the scheme dependence in
the definition of the theory without reducing to the real beta case. We also
compute the gauge beta function up to four loops and see that the generalized
finiteness theorems proposed in [hep-th: 0705.1483] still hold.


title: Exact mesoscopic correlation functions of the pairing model

abstract:
  We study the static correlation functions of the Richardson pairing model
(also known as the reduced or discrete-state BCS model) in the canonical
ensemble. Making use of the Algebraic Bethe Ansatz formalism, we obtain exact
expressions which are easily evaluated numerically for any value of the pairing
strength up to large numbers of particles. We provide explicit results at
half-filling and extensively discuss their finite-size scaling behavior.


title: Mixed action simulations: approaching physical quark masses

abstract:
  Some algorithmic details of our $N_f=2+1$ QCD mixed action simulations with
overlap valence and improved Wilson sea quarks are presented.


title: Bi-clique Communities

abstract:
  We present a novel method for detecting communities in bipartite networks.
Based on an extension of the $k$-clique community detection algorithm, we
demonstrate how modular structure in bipartite networks presents itself as
overlapping bicliques. If bipartite information is available, the bi-clique
community detection algorithm retains all of the advantages of the $k$-clique
algorithm, but avoids discarding important structural information when
performing a one-mode projection of the network. Further, the bi-clique
community detection algorithm provides a new level of flexibility by
incorporating independent clique thresholds for each of the non-overlapping
node sets in the bipartite network.


title:
SO(10)-like Superstring Standard Model with R-parity from the Heterotic
  String

abstract:
  We construct a supersymmetric standard model in the context of the Z_{12-I}
orbifold compactification of the E_8 x E_8' heterotic string theory. The gauge
group is SU(3)_c x SU(2)_L x U(1)_Y x U(1)^4 x [SO(10) x U(1)^3]' with
sin^2\theta_W = 3/8. We obtain three families of SO(10) spinor-like chiral
matter states, and Higgs doublets. All other extra states are exactly
vector-like under the standard model gauge symmetry. There are numerous
standard model singlets, many of which get VEVs such that only the standard
model gauge symmetry survives and desired Yukawa couplings can be generated at
lower energies. In particular, all vector-like exotic states achieve superheavy
masses and the R-parity can be preserved.


title: Elementary aspects of the geometry of metric spaces

abstract:
  The setting of metric spaces is very natural for numerous questions
concerning manifolds, norms, and fractal sets, and a few of the main
ingredients are surveyed here.


title: The Lonely Vertex Problem

abstract:
  In a locally finite tiling of n-dim Euclidean space by convex polytopes, each
point of the space is either a vertex of at least two tiles, or no vertex at
all.


title:
Light curve analysis of the hybrid sdB pulsators HS0702+6043 and
  HS2201+2610

abstract:
  We present the detection of low-amplitude, long-period g-modes in two
individual sdBV stars which are known to be p-mode pulsators. Only few of these
hybrid objects, showing both p- and g-modes, are known today. We resolve the
g-mode domain in HS0702+6043 and add HS2201+2610 to the list of hybrid
pulsators. To discover the low-amplitude g-modes, a filtering algorithm based
on wavelet transformations was applied to denoise observational data.


title:
Mapping Observations of 6.7 GHz Methanol Masers with Japanese VLBI
  Network

abstract:
  We have observed 13 methanol maser sources associated with massive
star-forming regions; W3(OH), Mon R2, S 255, W 33A, IRAS 18151-1208, G
24.78+0.08, G 29.95-0.02, IRAS 18556+0136, W 48, OH 43.8-0.1, ON 1, Cep A and
NGC 7538 at 6.7 GHz using the Japanese VLBI Network (JVN). Twelve of the
thirteen sources were detected at our longest baseline of $\sim$50 M$\lambda$,
and their images are presented. Seven of them are the first VLBI images at 6.7
GHz. This high detection rate and the small fringe spacing of $\sim$4
milli-arcsecond suggest that most of the methanol maser sources have compact
structure. Given this compactness as well as the known properties of long-life
and small internal-motion, this methanol maser line is suitable for astrometry
with VLBI.


title:
The shadow of light: evidences of photon behaviour contradicting known
  electrodynamics

abstract:
  We report the results of a double-slit-like experiment in the infrared range,
which evidence an anomalous behaviour of photon systems under particular
(energy and space) constraints. The statistical analysis of these outcomes
(independently confirmed by crossing photon beam experiments in both the
optical and the microwave range) shows a significant departure from the
predictions of both classical and quantum electrodynamics.


title: Decays of the Littlest Higgs Z_H and the Onset of Strong Dynamics

abstract:
  The Little Higgs mechanism, as realized in various models, requires a set of
new massive gauge bosons, some of which mix with gauge bosons of the Standard
Model. For a range of mixing angles the coupling of gauge bosons to scalars can
become strong, ultimately resulting in a breakdown of perturbative calculation.
This phenomenon is studied in the Littlest Higgs model, where the approach to
strong dynamics is characterized by increasing tree-level decay widths of the
neutral Z_H boson to lighter gauge bosons plus multiple scalars. These
increasing widths suggest a distinctive qualitative collider signature for the
approach to the strong coupling regime of large Higgs and other scalar
multiplicities. In this work we catalog the kinematically allowed three-body
decays of the Z_H, and calculate the partial width of the process Z_H to Z_L H
H. This partial width is found to be larger than the comparable two-body decay
Z_H to Z_L H for values of the SU(2) mixing angle cosine(theta) less than 0.13,
indicating divergence of the littlest Higgs sigma field expansion at values of
cosine(theta) larger than a simple parametric calculation would suggest.
Additionally, we present analytical expressions for all two-body decays of the
Littlest Higgs Z_H gauge boson, including the effects of all final-state
masses.


title: A discrete version and stability of Brunn Minkowski inequality

abstract:
  In the first part of the paper, we define an approximated Brunn-Minkowski
inequality which generalizes the classical one for length spaces. Our new
definition based only on distance properties allows us also to deal with
discrete spaces. Then we show the stability of our new inequality under a
convergence of metric measure spaces. This result gives as a corollary the
stability of the classical Brunn-Minkowski inequality for geodesic spaces. The
proof of this stability was done for different inequalities (curvature
dimension inequality, metric contraction property) but as far as we know not
for the Brunn-Minkowski one. In the second part of the paper, we show that
every metric measure space satisfying classical Brunn-Minkowski inequality can
be approximated by discrete spaces with some approximated Brunn-Minkowski
inequalities.


title: D-term Uplifted Racetrack Inflation

abstract:
  It is shown that racetrack inflation can be implemented in a moduli
stabilisation scenario with a supersymmetric uplifting D-term. The resulting
model is completely described by an effective supergravity theory, in contrast
to the original racetrack models. We study the inflationary dynamics and show
that the gaugino condensates vary during inflation. The resulting spectral
index is n_s = 0.95 as in the original racetrack inflation model. Hence extra
fields do not appear to alter the predictions of the model. An equivalent,
simplified model with just a single field is presented.


title: Moduli stabilization in (string) model building: gauge fluxes and loops

abstract:
  We discuss the moduli stabilization arising in the presence of gauge fluxes,
R-symmetry twists and non-perturbative effects in the context of 6-dimensional
supergravity models. We show how the presence of D-terms, due to the gauge
fluxes, is compatible with gaugino condensation, and that the two effects,
combined with the R-symmetry twist, do stabilize all the Kaehler moduli present
in the model, in the spirit of KKLT. We also calculate the flux-induced
one-loop correction to the scalar potential coming from charged
hypermultiplets, and find that it does not destabilize the minimum.


title:
Discovery Potential for the SM Higgs Boson in the Inclusive Search
  Channels

abstract:
  This paper gives an overview of the potential to discover a Standard Model
Higgs Boson in the inclusive search channels at the ATLAS and CMS experiments
at the LHC. The most important decay modes, $H \to \gamma \gamma$, $H \to WW
\to ll\nu\nu$ and $H \to ZZ \to 4l$ are described and a summary of recently
published analyses using realistic detector simulations is presented.


title: QT-Symmetry and Weak Pseudo-Hermiticity

abstract:
  For an invertible (bounded) linear operator Q acting in a Hilbert space
${\cal H}$, we consider the consequences of the QT-symmetry of a non-Hermitian
Hamiltonian $H:{\cal H}\to{\cal H}$ where T is the time-reversal operator. If H
is symmetric in the sense that ${\cal T} H^\dagger {\cal T}=H$, then
QT-symmetry is equivalent to Q^{-1}-weak-pseudo-Hermiticity. But in general
this equivalence does not hold. We show this using some specific examples.
Among these is a large class of non-PT-symmetric Hamiltonians that share the
spectral properties of PT-symmetric Hamiltonians.


title: Perturbative and non-perturbative aspects of QED_{3}

abstract:
  In this work we review various findings in the planar quantum physics with
the special emphasis on the two-component quantum electrodynamics in
three-dimensional spacetime (QED_{3}) with the Chern-Simons (CS) term. First
the classical electrodynamics is briefly outlined. Then we construct and
classify the unitary irreducible representations of the Poincare group and
connect them to various covariant fields. Subtleties with discrete symmetries
arising in QED_{3} are also discussed. Quantization of the free gauge field
with and without the CS term is performed in Coulomb gauge. Subsequently we
discuss the ultraviolet behavior of the theory in perturbative regime and
perform some one-loop calculations. The induced CS term is examined using the
effective action formalism. The non-relativistic electron-electron interactions
are considered in the Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory and the possibility of bound
states is briefly discussed. We also examine the non-relativistic scattering of
two anyons in the pure CS theory to one-loop order.


title:
Inclusive charged-current neutrino-nucleus reactions calculated with the
  relativistic quasiparticle random phase approximation

abstract:
  Inclusive neutrino-nucleus cross sections are calculated using a consistent
relativistic mean-field theoretical framework. The weak lepton-hadron
interaction is expressed in the standard current-current form, the nuclear
ground state is described with the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model, and
the relevant transitions to excited nuclear states are calculated in the
relativistic quasiparticle random phase approximation. Illustrative test
calculations are performed for charged-current neutrino reactions on $^{12}$C,
$^{16}$O, $^{56}$Fe, and $^{208}$Pb, and results compared with previous studies
and available data. Using the experimental neutrino fluxes, the averaged cross
sections are evaluated for nuclei of interest for neutrino detectors. We
analyze the total neutrino-nucleus cross sections, and the evolution of the
contribution of the different multipole excitations as a function of neutrino
energy. The cross sections for reactions of supernova neutrinos on $^{16}$O and
$^{208}$Pb target nuclei are analyzed as functions of the temperature and
chemical potential.


title:
Analytical and Numerical Demonstration of How the Drude Dispersive Model
  Satisfies Nernst's Theorem for the Casimir Entropy

abstract:
  In view of the current discussion on the subject, an effort is made to show
very accurately both analytically and numerically how the Drude dispersive
model, assuming the relaxation is nonzero at zero temperature (which is the
case when impurities are present), gives consistent results for the Casimir
free energy at low temperatures. Specifically, we find that the free energy
consists essentially of two terms, one leading term proportional to T^2, and a
next term proportional to T^{5/2}. Both these terms give rise to zero Casimir
entropy as T -> 0, thus in accordance with Nernst's theorem.


title:
The transiting exoplanet host star GJ 436: a test of stellar evolution
  models in the lower main sequence, and revised planetary parameters

abstract:
  Knowledge of the stellar parameters for the parent stars of transiting
exoplanets is pre-requisite for establishing the planet properties themselves,
and often relies on stellar evolution models. GJ 436, which is orbited by a
transiting Neptune-mass object, presents a difficult case because it is an M
dwarf. Stellar models in this mass regime are not as reliable as for higher
mass stars, and tend to underestimate the radius. Here we use constraints from
published transit light curve solutions for GJ 436 along with other
spectroscopic quantities to show how the models can still be used to infer the
mass and radius accurately, and at the same time allow the radius discrepancy
to be estimated. Similar systems should be found during the upcoming Kepler
mission, and could provide in this way valuable constraints to stellar
evolution models in the lower main sequence. The stellar mass and radius of GJ
436 are M = 0.452 [-0.012,+0.014] M(Sun) and R = 0.464 [-0.011,+0.009] R(Sun),
and the radius is 10% larger than predicted by the standard models, in
agreement with previous results from well studied double-lined eclipsing
binaries. We obtain an improved planet mass and radius of M = 23.17 +/- 0.79
M(Earth) and R = 4.22 [-0.10,+0.09] R(Earth), a density of rho = 1.69
[-0.12,+0.14] g/cm3, and an orbital semimajor axis of a = 0.02872 +/- 0.00027
AU.


title:
Upper Bounds for the Security of two Distributed-Phase Reference
  Protocols of Quantum Cryptography (Coherent-One-Way and
  Differential-Phase-Shift)

abstract:
  The Differential-Phase-Shift (DPS) and the Coherent-One-Way (COW) are among
the most practical protocols for quantum cryptography, and are therefore the
object of fast-paced experimental developments. The assessment of their
security is also a challenge for theorists: the existing tools, that allow to
prove security against the most general attacks, do not apply to these two
protocols in any straightforward way. We present new upper bounds for their
security in the limit of large distances ($d \gtrsim 50$km with typical values
in optical fibers) by considering a large class of collective attacks, namely
those in which the adversary attaches ancillary quantum systems to each pulse
or to each pair of pulses. We introduce also two modified versions of the COW
protocol, which may prove more robust than the original one.


title: The Weight System of the Multivariable Alexander Polynomial

abstract:
  We derive a formula for the weight system of the multivariable Alexander
polynomial using determinants, show that it obeys known relations, and
satisfies some of the same relations as the single variable polynomial.


title: Network synchronization: Optimal and Pessimal Scale-Free Topologies

abstract:
  By employing a recently introduced optimization algorithm we explicitely
design optimally synchronizable (unweighted) networks for any given scale-free
degree distribution. We explore how the optimization process affects
degree-degree correlations and observe a generic tendency towards
disassortativity. Still, we show that there is not a one-to-one correspondence
between synchronizability and disassortativity. On the other hand, we study the
nature of optimally un-synchronizable networks, that is, networks whose
topology minimizes the range of stability of the synchronous state. The
resulting ``pessimal networks'' turn out to have a highly assortative
string-like structure. We also derive a rigorous lower bound for the Laplacian
eigenvalue ratio controlling synchronizability, which helps understanding the
impact of degree correlations on network synchronizability.


title: Sensitivity of the LHC Experiments to Extra Dimensions

abstract:
  This conference report briefly reviews the potential of the ATLAS and CMS
experiments to discover evidence of extra dimensions.


title:
Hypernuclear production by ($\gamma, K^+$) reaction within a
  relativistic model

abstract:
  Within a fully covariant model based on an effective Lagrangian picture, we
investigate the hypernuclear production in photon-nucleus interaction on $
^{16}$O target. The explicit kaon production vertex is described via creation,
propagation and decay into relevant channel of $N^*$(1650), $N^*$(1710), and
$N^*$(1720) intermediate baryonic resonance states in the initial interaction
of the incident photon with one of the target protons. Bound state nucleon and
hyperon wave functions are obtained by solving the Dirac equation. Using vertex
parameters determined in the previous studies, contributions of the $N^*$(1710)
baryonic resonance dominate the total production cross sections which are found
to peak at photon energies below 1 GeV. The results show that photoproduction
is the most appropriate means for studying the unnatural parity hypernuclear
states, thus accessing the spin dependence of the hyperon-nucleon interaction.


title:
Phenomenology of the 1/N$_f$ Expansion for Field Theories in Extra
  Dimensions

abstract:
  In this paper we review the properties of the 1/$N_f$ expansion in
multidimensional theories. Contrary to the usual perturbative expansion it is
renormalizable and contains only logarithmic divergencies. The price for it is
the presence of ghost states which, however, in certain cases do not contribute
to physical amplitudes. In this case the theory is unitary and one can
calculate the cross-sections. As an example we consider the differential cross
section of elastic $eq \to eq$ scattering in $D=7,11,...$-dimensional world. We
look also for the unification of the gauge couplings in multidimensional
Standard Model and its SUSY extension which takes place at energies lower than
in 4 dimensions.


title: The role of Starbursts in the Star Formation History of the Universe

abstract:
  This review presents a personal view of the role that starbursts play in the
star formation history of the universe. It is mainly focused on the properties
of nearby starburst galaxies selected for their strong UV and/or FIR emission.
The similarities between local starbursts and star-forming galaxies at high
redshift are also presented. I discuss too the role that LIRGs and ULIRGs and
merging systems play in the formation and evolution of galaxies.


title: Higgs Masses and More in the Complex MSSM with FeynHiggs

abstract:
  We present the latest version 2.6 of FeynHiggs, a program for computing MSSM
Higgs-boson masses and related observables, such as mixing angles, branching
ratios, and couplings, including state-of-the-art higher-order contributions.
The most important new feature is the inclusion of the fully complex
O(\alpha_t\alpha_s) two-loop corrections, which enables FeynHiggs to give the
most precise Higgs-mass evaluation in the complex MSSM in the
Feynman-diagrammatic approach to date.


title:
Collisional Quenching at Ultralow Energies: Controlling Efficiency with
  Internal State Selection

abstract:
  Calculations have been carried out for the vibrational quenching of excited
H$_2$ molecules which collide with Li$^+$ ions at ultralow energies. The
dynamics has been treated exactly using the well known quantum coupled-channel
expansions over different initial vibrational levels. The overall interaction
potential has been obtained from the calculations carried out earlier in our
group using highly correlated ab initio methods. The results indicate that
specific features of the scattering observables, e.g. the appearance of
Ramsauer-Townsend minima in elastic channel cross sections and the marked
increase of the cooling rates from specific initial states, can be linked to
potential properties at vanishing energies (sign and size of scattering
lengths) and to the presence of either virtual states or bound states. The
suggestion is made that by selecting the initial state preparation of the
molecular partners, the ionic interactions would be amenable to controlling
quenching efficiency at ultralow energies.


title: A Multi-coloured survey of NGC 253 with XMM-Newton

abstract:
  There is a large body of work that has used the excellent Chandra
observations of nearby galaxies with neglible low mass X-ray binary (LMXB)
populations. This has culminated in a ``Universal'' X-ray luminosity function
(XLF) for high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs). However, a number of methods have
been used to convert from source intensities to luminosities when creating
these XLFs. We have taken advantage of the XMM-Newton observations of the
nearby starbursting spiral galaxy NGC 253 to test some of these methods. We
find the luminosities derived from these various methods to vary by a factor of
$\sim$3. We also find the most influential factor in the conversion from
intensity to luminosity to be the absorption. We therefore conclude that a more
consistent approach is required for determining the true Universal XLF for
HMXBs. Ideally, this would involve individual spectral fitting of each X-ray
source. Certainly, the line-of-sight absorption should be determined from the
observations rather than assuming Galactic absorption. We find the best
approach for obtaining an XLF from low-count data to be the splitting of the
X-ray sources into two or more intensity intervals, and obtaining a conversion
from intensity to flux for each group from spectral modelling of the summed
spectrum of that group.


title: The EPR experiment in the energy-based stochastic reduction framework

abstract:
  We consider the EPR experiment in the energy-based stochastic reduction
framework. A gedanken set up is constructed to model the interaction of the
particles with the measurement devices. The evolution of particles' density
matrix is analytically derived. We compute the dependence of the
disentanglement rate on the parameters of the model, and study the dependence
of the outcome probabilities on the noise trajectories. Finally, we argue that
these trajectories can be regarded as non-local hidden variables.


title: Plasmonic Resonant Optical Nanoswitch

abstract:
  We examine here the anomalous optical response of a nanosphere composed of
two conjoined hemispheres of different materials, one of them being plasmonic.
At the internal resonance, we show how the light interaction becomes
dramatically dependent on the polarization of the local electric field exciting
the particle. In particular, its response may be varied from the one of an
ideal perfect electric to a perfect magnetic homogeneous sphere through all the
possible intermediate stages, by a simple 90 deg rotation. Applications as
optical switch and as a novel nanocircuit element are envisioned.