title: Mission design of LiteBIRD

abstract:
  LiteBIRD is a next-generation satellite mission to measure the polarization
of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. On large angular scales the
B-mode polarization of the CMB carries the imprint of primordial gravitational
waves, and its precise measurement would provide a powerful probe of the epoch
of inflation. The goal of LiteBIRD is to achieve a measurement of the
characterizing tensor to scalar ratio $r$ to an uncertainty of $\delta
r=0.001$. In order to achieve this goal we will employ a kilo-pixel
superconducting detector array on a cryogenically cooled sub-Kelvin focal plane
with an optical system at a temperature of 4~K. We are currently considering
two detector array options; transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers and
microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKID). In this paper we give an
overview of LiteBIRD and describe a TES-based polarimeter designed to achieve
the target sensitivity of 2~$\mu$K$\cdot$arcmin over the frequency range 50 to
320~GHz.


title: Determination of Karsch Coefficients for 2-colour QCD

abstract:
  We give an update of results from two-colour, two-flavour QCD. Using a Wilson
fermion action we calculate thermodynamic quantities as a function of chemical
potential {\mu}. Calculating the Karsch Coefficients non-perturbatively gives
us access to the derivative method. Compared to our previously published
results, we have improved our analysis leading to revised and more accurate
estimates for the renormalised energy density, pressure and the trace anomaly.


title:
The Alexander polynomial as an intersection of two cycles in a symmetric
  power

abstract:
  We consider a braid $\beta$ which acts on a punctured plane. Then we
construct a local system on this plane and find a homology cicle $D$ in its
symmetric power such that $D\cdot \beta(D)$ coincides with the Alexander
polynomial of the plate closure of $\beta$.


title:
Virtual Modules in Discrete-Event Systems: Achieving Modular
  Diagnosability

abstract:
  This paper deals with the problem of enforcing modular diagnosability for
discrete-event systems that don't satisfy this property by their natural
modularity. We introduce an approach to achieve this property combining
existing modules into new virtual modules. An underlining mathematical problem
is to find a partition of a set, such that the partition satisfies the required
property. The time complexity of such problem is very high. To overcome it, the
paper introduces a structural analysis of the system's modules. In the analysis
we focus on the case when the modules participate in diagnosis with their
observations, rather then the case when indistinguishable observations are
blocked due to concurrency.


title: When Do Redundant Requests Reduce Latency ?

abstract:
  Several systems possess the flexibility to serve requests in more than one
way. For instance, a distributed storage system storing multiple replicas of
the data can serve a request from any of the multiple servers that store the
requested data, or a computational task may be performed in a compute-cluster
by any one of multiple processors. In such systems, the latency of serving the
requests may potentially be reduced by sending "redundant requests": a request
may be sent to more servers than needed, and it is deemed served when the
requisite number of servers complete service. Such a mechanism trades off the
possibility of faster execution of at least one copy of the request with the
increase in the delay due to an increased load on the system. Due to this
tradeoff, it is unclear when redundant requests may actually help. Several
recent works empirically evaluate the latency performance of redundant requests
in diverse settings.
  This work aims at an analytical study of the latency performance of redundant
requests, with the primary goals of characterizing under what scenarios sending
redundant requests will help (and under what scenarios they will not help), as
well as designing optimal redundant-requesting policies. We first present a
model that captures the key features of such systems. We show that when service
times are i.i.d. memoryless or "heavier", and when the additional copies of
already-completed jobs can be removed instantly, redundant requests reduce the
average latency. On the other hand, when service times are "lighter" or when
service times are memoryless and removal of jobs is not instantaneous, then not
having any redundancy in the requests is optimal under high loads. Our results
hold for arbitrary arrival processes.


title: Quantifying unique information

abstract:
  We propose new measures of shared information, unique information and
synergistic information that can be used to decompose the multi-information of
a pair of random variables $(Y,Z)$ with a third random variable $X$. Our
measures are motivated by an operational idea of unique information which
suggests that shared information and unique information should depend only on
the pair marginal distributions of $(X,Y)$ and $(X,Z)$. Although this
invariance property has not been studied before, it is satisfied by other
proposed measures of shared information. The invariance property does not
uniquely determine our new measures, but it implies that the functions that we
define are bounds to any other measures satisfying the same invariance
property. We study properties of our measures and compare them to other
candidate measures.


title: The Solar Orientation of the Lion Rock Complex in Sri Lanka

abstract:
  This paper discusses the solar orientation of the archaeological complex of
Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, in Sri Lanka. We can see that the axis of this complex
is oriented with the sunset of the zenithal sun.


title: Spectral Clustering via the Power Method -- Provably

abstract:
  Spectral clustering is one of the most important algorithms in data mining
and machine intelligence; however, its computational complexity limits its
application to truly large scale data analysis. The computational bottleneck in
spectral clustering is computing a few of the top eigenvectors of the
(normalized) Laplacian matrix corresponding to the graph representing the data
to be clustered. One way to speed up the computation of these eigenvectors is
to use the "power method" from the numerical linear algebra literature.
Although the power method has been empirically used to speed up spectral
clustering, the theory behind this approach, to the best of our knowledge,
remains unexplored. This paper provides the \emph{first} such rigorous
theoretical justification, arguing that a small number of power iterations
suffices to obtain near-optimal partitionings using the approximate
eigenvectors. Specifically, we prove that solving the $k$-means clustering
problem on the approximate eigenvectors obtained via the power method gives an
additive-error approximation to solving the $k$-means problem on the optimal
eigenvectors.


title: Observations about Leonardo's drawings for Luca Pacioli

abstract:
  Three versions of Luca Pacioli's 'De Dvina Proportione' remain: a manuscript
held in Milan, another in Geneva and a printed version edited in Venice. A
recent book, 'Antologia della Divina Proporzione', has all three in one volume,
allowing an easy comparison of the different versions. The present paper
proposes some observations about these drawings, generally said to be of
Leonardo da Vinci's hand.


title: The heteroclinic connection problem for general double-well potentials

abstract:
  By variational methods, we provide a simple proof of existence of a
heteroclinic orbit to the Hamiltonian system $u''=\nabla W(u)$ that connects
the two global minima of a double-well potential $W$. Moreover, we consider
several inhomogeneous extensions.


title: A strange bridge by Leonardo

abstract:
  On folio 855 recto of the Codex Atlanticus, Leonardo da Vinci drew three
'easily movable' bridges, but one of them is enigmatic: all 'replicas' in
Leonardo museums and exhibitions come as a surprise, to say the least, to any
engineer or architect whose attention is drawn to it. This is the case for
models in Amboise (France), Chicago and Portland (USA), Florence (Italy) and
for the one of the traveling exhibition by the Australian company 'Grande
Exhibitions' that already visited 40 major cities in the world. All 'replicas'
of the bridge model attributed to Leonardo have pillars standing on the deck of
the bridge, while the deck is suspended by cables attached on these pillars. At
first sight this problem does not catch the attention of the observer, as the
bridge seems to be a mixed form of a beam and a suspension bridge, but it was
not overlooked by my colleague architect-engineer Dr. Laurens Luyten (Gent,
Belgium). Yet, after a TV-interview in Brussels so much pressure was exerted by
some of the museum collaborators, the architect prefers to keep the silence
about the engineering by these 'scientific' exhibitions. Yet, it is the
author's opinion the ridiculous models do not honor Leonardo, and so the
present paper takes up the challenge to report about his observation in his
name (with his permission). Something should be done, for sure: millions of
people look at the bridge replicas that immediately embarrass any engineer.


title: De Divino Errore

abstract:
  'De Divina Proportione' was one of the most widely read mathematical books.
Yet there is an unmistakable erroneous theorem, which was questioned by
Dutchman Jos Janssens and confirmed by his compatriot Rinus Roelofs. Did anyone
ever notice this error?


title: Extremal basic frequency of non-homogeneous plates

abstract:
  In this paper we propose two numerical algorithms to derive the extremal
principal eigenvalue of the bi-Laplacian operator under Navier boundary
conditions or Dirichlet boundary conditions. Consider a non-homogeneous hinged
or clamped plate $\Omega$, the algorithms converge to the density functions on
$\Omega$ which they yield the maximum or minimum basic frequency of the plate.


title: Photonic de Haas-van Alphen effect

abstract:
  Based on the recently proposed concept of effective gauge potential and
magnetic field for photons, we numerically demonstrate a photonic de Haas-van
Alphen effect. We show that in a dynamically modulated photonic resonator
lattice exhibiting an effect magnetic field, the trajectories of the light beam
at a given frequency have the same shape as the constant energy contour for the
photonic band structure of the lattice in the absence of the effective magnetic
field.


title: Framed sheaves on projective stacks

abstract:
  Given a normal projective irreducible stack $\mathscr X$ over an
algebraically closed field of characteristic zero we consider framed sheaves on
$\mathscr X$, i.e., pairs $(\mathcal E,\phi_{\mathcal E})$, where $\mathcal E$
is a coherent sheaf on $\mathscr X$ and $\phi_{\mathcal E}$ is a morphism from
$\mathcal E$ to a fixed coherent sheaf $\mathcal F$. After introducing a
suitable notion of (semi)stability, we construct a projective scheme, which is
a moduli space for semistable framed sheaves with fixed Hilbert polynomial, and
an open subset of it, which is a fine moduli space for stable framed sheaves.
If $\mathscr X$ is a projective irreducible orbifold of dimension two and
$\mathcal F$ a locally free sheaf on a smooth divisor $\mathscr D\subset
\mathscr X$ satisfying certain conditions, we consider $(\mathscr{D},
\mathcal{F})$-framed sheaves, i.e., framed sheaves $(\mathcal E,\phi_{\mathcal
E})$ with $\mathcal E$ a torsion-free sheaf which is locally free in a
neighborhood of $\mathscr D$, and ${\phi_{\mathcal{E}}}_{| \mathscr{D}}$ an
isomorphism. These pairs are $\mu$-stable for a suitable choice of a parameter
entering the (semi)stability condition, and of the polarization of $\mathscr
X$. This implies the existence of a fine moduli space parameterizing
isomorphism classes of $(\mathscr{D}, \mathcal{F})$-framed sheaves on
$\mathscr{X}$ with fixed Hilbert polynomial, which is a quasi-projective
scheme. In an appendix we develop the example of stacky Hirzebruch surfaces.
This is the first paper of a project aimed to provide an algebro-geometric
approach to the study of gauge theories on a wide class of 4-dimensional
Riemannian manifolds by means of framed sheaves on "stacky" compactifications
of them. In particular, in a subsequent paper we will use these results to
study gauge theories on ALE spaces of type $A_k$.


title:
Inverse scattering problem for Sturm-Liouville operator on non-compact
  A-graph. Uniqueness result

abstract:
  In a finite-dimensional Euclidian space we consider a connected metric graph
with the following property: each two cycles can have at most one common point.
Such graphs are called A-graphs. On noncompact A-graph we consider a scattering
problem for Sturm-Liouville differential operator with standard matching
conditions in the internal vertices. Transport, spectral and scattering
problems for differential operators on graphs appear frequently in mathematics,
natural sciences and engineering. In particular, direct and inverse problems
for such operators are used to construct and study models in mechanics,
nano-electronics, quantum computing and waveguides. The most complete results
on (both direct and inverse) spectral problems were achieved in the case of
Sturm-Liouville operators on compact graphs, in the noncompact case there are
no similar general results. In this paper, we establish some properties of the
spectral characteristics and investigate the inverse problem of recovering the
operator from the scattering data. A uniqueness theorem for such inverse
problem is proved.


title:
Fractional Sobolev-Poincar\'e and fractional Hardy inequalities in
  unbounded John domains

abstract:
  We prove fractional Sobolev-Poincar\'e inequalities in unbounded John domains
and we characterize fractional Hardy inequalities there.


title:
Critical region of D-dimensional spins: Extension and analysis of the
  hierarchical reference theory

abstract:
  The hierarchical reference theory (HRT) is generalized to spins of
dimensionality $D$. Then its properties are investigated by both analytical and
numerical evaluations for supercritical temperatures. The HRT is closely
related to the self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation (SCOZA) that was
developed earlier for arbitrary $D$. Like the $D=1$ case we studied earlier,
our investigation is facilitated by a situation where both HRT and SCOZA give
identical results with a mean spherical model (MSM) behavior (i.e. $D=\infty$).
However, for the more general situation we find that an additional intermediate
term appears. With an interplay between leading and subleading contributions,
simple rational numbers, independent of $D$ ($<\infty$), are found for the
critical indices.


title: The number of points from a random lattice that lie inside a ball

abstract:
  We prove a sharp bound for the remainder term of the number of lattice points
inside a ball, when averaging over a compact set of (not necessarily
unimodular) lattices, in dimensions two and three. We also prove that such a
bound cannot hold if one averages over the space of all lattices.


title: Continuous approximation of quasi-plurisubharmonic functions

abstract:
  Let $X$ be a compact K\"ahler manifold and $\theta$ a smooth closed
$(1,1)$-real form representing a big cohomology class $\alpha \in
H^{1,1}(X,\R)$. The purpose of this note is to show, using pluripotential and
viscosity techniques, that any $\theta$-plurisubharmonic function $\f$ can be
approximated from above by a decreasing sequence of continuous
$\theta$-plurisubharmonic functions with minimal singularities, assuming that
there exists a single such function.


title: Noncommutative motives and their applications

abstract:
  This survey is based on lectures given by the authors during the program
"Noncommutative algebraic geometry and representation theory" at the MSRI,
Berkeley, in the spring of 2013. It covers the recent work of the authors on
noncommutative motives and their applications, and is intended for a broad
mathematical audience.


title: The complete set of homogeneous Hilbert curves in two dimensions

abstract:
  An inventory of all possible homogenous Hilbert curves in two dimensions are
reported. Six new Hilbert curves are described by introducing the reversion
operation in the construction algorithm. For each curve, the set of affine
transformation defining the generation process is reported. Finally, each curve
is also described in terms of a tag system.


title: Cognitive Radios: A Survey of Methods for Channel State Prediction

abstract:
  This paper discusses the need for Cognitive Radio ability in view of the
physical scarcity of wireless spectrum for communication. A background of the
Cognitive Radio technology is presented and the aspect of 'channel state
prediction' is focused upon. Hidden Markov Models (HMM) have been traditionally
used to model the wireless channel behavior but it suffers from certain
limitations. We discuss few techniques of channel state prediction using
machine-learning methods and will extend the Conditional Random Field (CRF)
procedure to this field.


title: Landau damping: paraproducts and Gevrey regularity

abstract:
  We give a new, simpler, proof of nonlinear Landau damping on T^d in
Gevrey-1/s regularity (s > 1/3) which matches the regularity requirement
predicted by the formal analysis of Mouhot and Villani in the original proof of
Landau damping [Acta Mathematica 2011]. Our proof combines in a novel way ideas
from the original proof of Landau damping and the proof of inviscid damping in
2D Euler [arXiv:1306.5028]. As in the work on 2D Euler, we use paraproduct
decompositions and controlled regularity loss to replace the Newton iteration
scheme employed in the original proof. We perform time-response estimates
adapted from the original proof to control the plasma echoes and couple them to
energy estimates on the distribution function in the style of the work on 2D
Euler.

categories: math.AP math-ph math.MP physics.plasm-ph


title: Non-Abelian Chern-Simons Theory from a Hubbard-like Model

abstract:
  Here, we provide a simple Hubbard-like model of spin-$1/2$ fermions that
gives rise to the SU(2) symmetric Thirring model that is equivalent, in the
low-energy limit, to Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons model. First, we identify the
regime that simulates the SU(2) Yang-Mills theory. Then, we suitably extend
this model so that it gives rise to the SU(2) level $k$ Chern-Simons theory
with $k\geq2$ that can support non-Abelian anyons. This is achieved by
introducing multiple fermionic species and modifying the Thirring interactions,
while preserving the SU(2) symmetry. Our proposal provides the means to
theoretically and experimentally probe non-Abelian SU(2) level $k$ topological
phases.


title: Arithmetic properties of homogeneous Hilbert curves

abstract:
  Properties of the recently reported homogeneous Hilbert curves are deduced
and reported. The nature of the affine transformations involved in the
construction of the Hilbert curves is explored. The analytical representation
of proper and improper Hilbert curves is obtained. The one-to-one mapping
between two Hilbert curves is deduced. Recursive relation of Hilbert curves is
reported.


title: A note on real algebraic groups

abstract:
  The efficacy of using complexifications to understand the structure of real
algebraic groups is demonstrated. In particular the following results are
proved: a) If L is an algebraic subgroup of a connected real algebraic group G
such that the complexification of L contains a maximal torus of the
complexification of G, then L contains a Cartan subgroup of G b) Let G be a
solvable real algebraic group whose eigenvalues are all real. If the
complexification of G operates algebraically on a complex variety V, and some G
orbit is compact, then this orbit is a point.


title: Expansion-free Cylindrically Symmetric Models

abstract:
  This paper investigates cylindrically symmetric distribution of an-isotropic
fluid under the expansion-free condition, which requires the existence of
vacuum cavity within the fluid distribution. We have discussed two family of
solutions which further provide two exact models in each family. Some of these
solutions satisfy Darmois junction condition while some show the presence of
thin shell on both boundary surfaces. We also formulate a relation between the
Weyl tensor and energy density.


title: Effect of high frequency modes of medium on an open quantum system

abstract:
  We present a method to calculate the real time effective propagator of a
generic open quantum system, immersed in a medium using a wave function based
framework. The medium is characterised by a set of harmonic oscillators having
a continuous span of frequencies. This technique has been applied to the
Caldeira-Leggett model showing that high frequency modes of the medium do not
contribute towards decay of the population of states of the open system. In
fact, they cause a Rabi type oscillation. Moreover, our wave function based
approach provides an excellent alternative to conventional formalisms involving
the density matrix.


title:
An asymptotic study of blow up multiplicity in fourth order parabolic
  partial differential equations

abstract:
  Blow-up in second and fourth order semi-linear parabolic partial differential
equations (PDEs) is considered in bounded regions of one, two and three spatial
dimensions with uniform initial data. A phenomenon whereby singularities form
at multiple points simultaneously is exhibited and explained by means of a
singular perturbation theory. In the second order case we pre- dict that points
furthest from the boundary are selected by the dynamics of the PDE for
singularity. In the fourth order case, singularities can form simultaneously at
multiple locations, even in one spatial dimension. In two spatial dimensions,
the singular perturbation theory reveals that the set of possible singularity
points depends subtly on the geometry of the domain and the equation
parameters. In three spatial dimensions, preliminary numerical simulations
indicate that the multiplicity of singularities can be even more complex. For
the aforementioned scenarios, the analysis highlights the dichotomy of
behaviors exhibited between the second and fourth order cases.


title:
Common physical framework explains phase behavior and dynamics of
  atomic, molecular and polymeric network-formers

abstract:
  We show that the self-assembly of a diverse collection of building blocks can
be understood within a common physical framework. These building blocks, which
form periodic honeycomb networks and nonperiodic variants thereof, range in
size from atoms to micron-scale polymers, and interact through mechanisms as
different as hydrogen bonds and covalent forces. A combination of statistical
mechanics and quantum mechanics shows that one can capture the physics that
governs assembly of these networks by resolving only the geometry and strength
of building block interactions. The resulting framework reproduces a broad
range of phenomena seen experimentally, including periodic and nonperiodic
networks in thermal equilibrium, and nonperiodic supercooled and glassy
networks away from equilibrium. Our results show how simple `design criteria'
control assembly of a wide variety of networks, and suggest that kinetic
trapping can be a useful way of making functional assemblies.


title: Selection Effects in Online Sharing: Consequences for Peer Adoption

abstract:
  Most models of social contagion take peer exposure to be a corollary of
adoption, yet in many settings, the visibility of one's adoption behavior
happens through a separate decision process. In online systems, product
designers can define how peer exposure mechanisms work: adoption behaviors can
be shared in a passive, automatic fashion, or occur through explicit, active
sharing. The consequences of these mechanisms are of substantial practical and
theoretical interest: passive sharing may increase total peer exposure but
active sharing may expose higher quality products to peers who are more likely
to adopt.
  We examine selection effects in online sharing through a large-scale field
experiment on Facebook that randomizes whether or not adopters share Offers
(coupons) in a passive manner. We derive and estimate a joint discrete choice
model of adopters' sharing decisions and their peers' adoption decisions. Our
results show that active sharing enables a selection effect that exposes peers
who are more likely to adopt than the population exposed under passive sharing.
  We decompose the selection effect into two distinct mechanisms: active
sharers expose peers to higher quality products, and the peers they share with
are more likely to adopt independently of product quality. Simulation results
show that the user-level mechanism comprises the bulk of the selection effect.
The study's findings are among the first to address downstream peer effects
induced by online sharing mechanisms, and can inform design in settings where a
surplus of sharing could be viewed as costly.


title:
Common Due-Date Problem: Exact Polynomial Algorithms for a Given Job
  Sequence

abstract:
  This paper considers the problem of scheduling jobs on single and parallel
machines where all the jobs possess different processing times but a common due
date. There is a penalty involved with each job if it is processed earlier or
later than the due date. The objective of the problem is to find the assignment
of jobs to machines, the processing sequence of jobs and the time at which they
are processed, which minimizes the total penalty incurred due to tardiness or
earliness of the jobs. This work presents exact polynomial algorithms for
optimizing a given job sequence or single and parallel machines with the
run-time complexities of $O(n \log n)$ and $O(mn^2 \log n)$ respectively, where
$n$ is the number of jobs and $m$ the number of machines. The algorithms take a
sequence consisting of all the jobs $(J_i, i=1,2,\dots,n)$ as input and
distribute the jobs to machines (for $m>1$) along with their best completion
times so as to get the least possible total penalty for this sequence. We prove
the optimality for the single machine case and the runtime complexities of
both. Henceforth, we present the results for the benchmark instances and
compare with previous work for single and parallel machine cases, up to $200$
jobs.


title:
Aircraft Landing Problem: Efficient Algorithm for a Given Landing
  Sequence

abstract:
  In this paper, we investigate a special case of the static aircraft landing
problem (ALP) with the objective to optimize landing sequences and landing
times for a set of air planes. The problem is to land the planes on one or
multiple runways within a time window as close as possible to the preferable
target landing time, maintaining a safety distance constraint. The objective of
this well-known NP-hard optimization problem is to minimize the sum of the
total penalty incurred by all the aircraft for arriving earlier or later than
their preferred landing times. For a problem variant that optimizes a given
feasible landing sequence for the single runway case, we present an exact
polynomial algorithm and prove the run-time complexity to lie in $O(N^3)$,
where $N$ is the number of aircraft. The proposed algorithm returns the optimal
solution for the ALP for a given feasible landing sequence on a single runway
for a common practical case of the ALP described in the paper. Furthermore, we
propose a strategy for the ALP with multiple runways and present our results
for all the benchmark instances with single and multiple runways, while
comparing them to previous results in the literature.


title:
The classification of Nichols algebras over groups with finite root
  system of rank two

abstract:
  We classify all groups G and all pairs (V,W) of absolutely simple
Yetter-Drinfeld modules over G such that the support of the direct sum of V and
W generates G, the square of the braiding between V and W is not the identity,
and the Nichols algebra of the direct sum of V and W admits a finite root
system. As a byproduct, we determine the dimensions of such Nichols algebras,
and several new families of finite-dimensional Nichols algebras are obtained.
Our main tool is the Weyl groupoid of pairs of absolutely simple
Yetter-Drinfeld modules over groups.


title: Alternative proofs of the Conway-Gordon-Sachs Theorems

abstract:
  In this paper we present new proofs of the Conway-Gordon-Sachs and Sachs
Theorems on the linked cycles in graphs embedded in $\R^3$. We reduce these
theorems to certain property of graphs mapped to the plane.


title:
Feynman formulae and phase space Feynman path integrals for
  tau-quantization of some L\'evy-Khintchine type Hamilton functions

abstract:
  This note is devoted to representation of some evolution semigroups. The
semigroups are generated by pseudo-differential operators, which are obtained
by different (parametrized by a number $\tau$) procedures of quantization from
a certain class of functions (or symbols) defined on the phase space. This
class contains functions which are second order polynomials with respect to the
momentum variable and also some other functions. The considered semigroups are
represented as limits of $n$-fold iterated integrals when $n$ tends to infinity
(such representations are called Feynman formulae). Some of these
representations are constructed with the help of another pseudo-differential
operators, obtained by the same procedure of quantization (such representations
are called Hamiltonian Feynman formulae). Some representations are based on
integral operators with elementary kernels (these ones are called Lagrangian
Feynman formulae and are suitable for computations). A family of phase space
Feynman pseudomeasures corresponding to different procedures of quantization is
introduced. The considered evolution semigroups are represented also as phase
space Feynman path integrals with respect to these Feynman pseudomeasures. The
obtained Lagrangian Feynman formulae allow to calculate these phase space
Feynman path integrals and to connect them with some functional integrals with
respect to probability measures.


title: Root-theoretic Young diagrams and Schubert calculus II

abstract:
  We continue the study of root-theoretic Young diagrams (RYDs) from
[Searles-Yong '13]. We provide an RYD formula for the $GL_n$ Belkale-Kumar
product, after [Knutson-Purbhoo '11], and we give a translation of the indexing
set of [Buch-Kresch-Tamvakis '09] for Schubert varieties of non-maximal
isotropic Grassmannians into RYDs. We then use this translation to prove that
the RYD formulas of [Searles-Yong '13] for Schubert calculus of the classical
(co)adjoint varieties agree with the Pieri rules of [Buch-Kresch-Tamvakis '09],
which were needed in the proofs of the (co)adjoint formulas.


title:
Spin-orbit coupling induced semi-metallic state in the 1/3 hole doped
  hyper-kagome Na3Ir3O8

abstract:
  The complex iridium oxide Na3Ir3O8 with a B-site ordered spinel structure was
synthesized in single crystalline form, where the chiral hyper-kagome lattice
of Ir atoms, as observed in the spin-liquid candidate Na4Ir3O8, was identified.
The average valence of Ir is 4.33+ and, therefore, Na3Ir3O8 can be viewed as a
doped analogue of the hyper-kagome spin liquid with Ir4+. The transport
measurements showed that Na3Ir3O8 is in fact a semi-metal. The electronic
structure calculation demonstrated that the strong spin-orbit coupling of Ir
yields the semi-metallic state out of an otherwise band insulating state, which
may harbor exotic topological effects embedded in the hyper-kagome lattice.


title:
A Fuzzy AHP Approach for Supplier Selection Problem: A Case Study in a
  Gear Motor Company

abstract:
  Suuplier selection is one of the most important functions of a purchasing
department. Since by deciding the best supplier, companies can save material
costs and increase competitive advantage.However this decision becomes
compilcated in case of multiple suppliers, multiple conflicting criteria, and
imprecise parameters. In addition the uncertainty and vagueness of the experts'
opinion is the prominent characteristic of the problem. therefore an
extensively used multi criteria decision making tool Fuzzy AHP can be utilized
as an approach for supplier selection problem. This paper reveals the
application of Fuzzy AHP in a gear motor company determining the best supplier
with respect to selected criteria. the contribution of this study is not only
the application of the Fuzzy AHP methodology for supplier selection problem,
but also releasing a comprehensive literature review of multi criteria decision
making problems. In addition by stating the steps of Fuzzy AHP clearly and
numerically, this study can be a guide of the methodology to be implemented to
other multiple criteria decision making problems.


title:
Are all Social Networks Structurally Similar? A Comparative Study using
  Network Statistics and Metrics

abstract:
  The modern age has seen an exponential growth of social network data
available on the web. Analysis of these networks reveal important structural
information about these networks in particular and about our societies in
general. More often than not, analysis of these networks is concerned in
identifying similarities among social networks and how they are different from
other networks such as protein interaction networks, computer networks and food
web. In this paper, our objective is to perform a critical analysis of
different social networks using structural metrics in an effort to highlight
their similarities and differences. We use five different social network
datasets which are contextually and semantically different from each other. We
then analyze these networks using a number of different network statistics and
metrics. Our results show that although these social networks have been
constructed from different contexts, they are structurally similar. We also
review the snowball sampling method and show its vulnerability against
different network metrics.


title: Classical Liouville Three-point Functions from Riemann-Hilbert Analysis

abstract:
  We study semiclassical correlation functions in Liouville field theory on a
two-sphere when all operators have large conformal dimensions. In the usual
approach, such computation involves solving the classical Liouville equation,
which is known to be extremely difficult for higher-point functions. To
overcome this difficulty, we propose a new method based on the Riemann-Hilbert
analysis, which is applied recently to the holographic calculation of
correlation functions in AdS/CFT. The method allows us to directly compute the
correlation functions without solving the Liouville equation explicitly. To
demonstrate its utility, we apply it to three-point functions, which are known
to be solvable, and confirm that it correctly reproduces the classical limit of
the DOZZ formula for quantum three-point functions. This provides good evidence
for the validity of this method.


title: Reinforcement Learning for Matrix Computations: PageRank as an Example

abstract:
  Reinforcement learning has gained wide popularity as a technique for
simulation-driven approximate dynamic programming. A less known aspect is that
the very reasons that make it effective in dynamic programming can also be
leveraged for using it for distributed schemes for certain matrix computations
involving non-negative matrices. In this spirit, we propose a reinforcement
learning algorithm for PageRank computation that is fashioned after analogous
schemes for approximate dynamic programming. The algorithm has the advantage of
ease of distributed implementation and more importantly, of being model-free,
i.e., not dependent on any specific assumptions about the transition
probabilities in the random web-surfer model. We analyze its convergence and
finite time behavior and present some supporting numerical experiments.


title:
Investigation into electron cloud effects in the International Linear
  Collider positron damping ring

abstract:
  We report modeling results for electron cloud buildup and instability in the
International Linear Collider positron damping ring. Updated optics, wiggler
magnets, and vacuum chamber designs have recently been developed for the 5 GeV,
3.2-km racetrack layout. An analysis of the synchrotron radiation profile
around the ring has been performed, including the effects of diffuse and
specular photon scattering on the interior surfaces of the vacuum chamber. The
results provide input to the cloud buildup simulations for the various magnetic
field regions of the ring. The modeled cloud densities thus obtained are used
in the instability threshold calculations. We conclude that the mitigation
techniques employed in this model will suffice to allow operation of the
damping ring at the design operational specifications.


title:
The More, the Merrier: the Blessing of Dimensionality for Learning Large
  Gaussian Mixtures

abstract:
  In this paper we show that very large mixtures of Gaussians are efficiently
learnable in high dimension. More precisely, we prove that a mixture with known
identical covariance matrices whose number of components is a polynomial of any
fixed degree in the dimension n is polynomially learnable as long as a certain
non-degeneracy condition on the means is satisfied. It turns out that this
condition is generic in the sense of smoothed complexity, as soon as the
dimensionality of the space is high enough. Moreover, we prove that no such
condition can possibly exist in low dimension and the problem of learning the
parameters is generically hard. In contrast, much of the existing work on
Gaussian Mixtures relies on low-dimensional projections and thus hits an
artificial barrier. Our main result on mixture recovery relies on a new
"Poissonization"-based technique, which transforms a mixture of Gaussians to a
linear map of a product distribution. The problem of learning this map can be
efficiently solved using some recent results on tensor decompositions and
Independent Component Analysis (ICA), thus giving an algorithm for recovering
the mixture. In addition, we combine our low-dimensional hardness results for
Gaussian mixtures with Poissonization to show how to embed difficult instances
of low-dimensional Gaussian mixtures into the ICA setting, thus establishing
exponential information-theoretic lower bounds for underdetermined ICA in low
dimension. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such result in the
literature. In addition to contributing to the problem of Gaussian mixture
learning, we believe that this work is among the first steps toward better
understanding the rare phenomenon of the "blessing of dimensionality" in the
computational aspects of statistical inference.


title:
Probing Hawking and Unruh effects and quantum field theory in curved
  space by geometric invariants

abstract:
  The presence of noncyclic geometric invariant is revealed in all the
phenomena where particle generation from vacuum or vacuum condensates appear.
Aharonov--Anandan invariants then can help to study such systems and can
represent a new tool to be used in order to provide laboratory evidence of
phenomena particulary hard to be detected, such as Hawking and Unruh effects
and some features of quantum field theory in curved space simulated by some
graphene morphologies. It is finally suggested that a very precise quantum
thermometer can be built by exploiting geometric invariants properties.


title:
X-Ray Grating Observations of Recurrent Nova T Pyxidis During The 2011
  Outburst

abstract:
  The recurrent nova T Pyx was observed with the X-ray gratings of Chandra and
XMM-Newton, 210 and 235 days, respectively, after the discovery of the 2011
April 14 outburst. The X-ray spectra show prominent emission lines of C, N, and
O, with broadening corresponding to a full width at half maximum of ~2000-3000
km/s, and line ratios consistent with high-density plasma in collisional
ionization equilibrium. On day 210 we also measured soft X-ray continuum
emission that appears to be consistent with a white dwarf (WD) atmosphere at a
temperature ~420,000 K, partially obscured by anisotropic, optically thick
ejecta. The X-ray continuum emission is modulated with the photometric and
spectroscopic period observed in quiescence. The continuum at day 235 indicated
a WD atmosphere at a consistent effective temperature of 25 days earlier, but
with a lower flux. The effective temperature indicates a mass of ~1 solar mass.
The conclusion of partial WD obscuration is supported by the complex geometry
of non-spherically-symmetric ejecta confirmed in recent optical spectra
obtained with the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) in November and
December of 2012. These spectra exhibited prominent [O III] nebular lines with
velocity structures typical of bipolar ejecta.


title:
Imaging flux distributions around superconductors: Geometrical
  susceptibility in the Meissner state

abstract:
  Experiment and analytical calculations show that the demagnetizing field of a
superconductor is a sensitive probe of quantities otherwise difficult to
measure, such as the sample-probe distance in flux-density imaging experiments,
and the field of first flux penetration Hp. In particular, the ratio of the
maximum field measured above the superconductor edge and the applied field can
be determined unambiguously so as to define a linear "geometric"
susceptibility. The evolution of this susceptibility with field depends on the
regime of flux penetration, and can be used as a means to determine Hp and the
effect of a parallel field component in magneto-optical imaging experiments.


title:
Cross-variation of Young integral with respect to long-memory fractional
  Brownian motions

abstract:
  We study the asymptotic behaviour of the cross-variation of two-dimensional
processes having the form of a Young integral with respect to a fractional
Brownian motion of index $H \textgreater{} 1/ 2$. When $H$ is smaller than or
equal to $3 / 4$, we show asymptotic mixed normality. When $H$ is strictly
bigger than $3/4$, we obtain a limit that is expressed in terms of the
difference of two independent Rosenblatt processes.


title: A tale of cosmic rays narrated in gamma rays by Fermi

abstract:
  Because cosmic rays are charged particles scrambled by magnetic fields,
combining direct measurements with other observations is crucial to
understanding their origin and propagation. As energetic particles traverse
matter and electromagnetic fields, they leave marks in the form of neutral
interaction products. Among those, gamma rays trace interactions of nuclei that
inelastically collide with interstellar gas, as well as of leptons that undergo
Bremsstrahlung and inverse-Compton scattering. Data collected by the Fermi
Large Area Telescope (LAT) are therefore telling us the story of cosmic rays
along their journey from sources through their home galaxies. Supernova
remnants emerge as a notable gamma-ray source population, and older remnants
interacting with interstellar matter finally show strong evidence of the
presence of accelerated nuclei. Yet the maximum energy attained by shock
accelerators is poorly constrained. Cygnus X, a massive star-forming region
established by the LAT as housing cosmic-ray sources, provides a test case to
study the impact of wind-driven turbulence on the early propagation.
Interstellar emission resulting from the large-scale propagation of cosmic rays
in the Milky Way is revealed in unprecedented detail that challenges some of
the simple assumptions used for the modeling. Moreover, the cosmic-ray induced
gamma-ray luminosities of galaxies scale quasi-linearly with their massive-
star formation rates, and suggests that for most systems a substantial fraction
of energy in cosmic rays escapes into the intergalactic medium. The nuclear
production models and the distribution of target gas and radiation fields, not
determined precisely enough yet, are key to exploiting the full potential of
gamma-ray data. Nevertheless, data being collected by Fermi and complementary
observations are bringing us ever closer to solving the cosmic-ray mystery.
(abridged)


title:
Exponential Stability of Homogeneous Positive Systems of Degree One With
  Time-Varying Delays

abstract:
  While the asymptotic stability of positive linear systems in the presence of
bounded time delays has been thoroughly investigated, the theory for nonlinear
positive systems is considerably less well-developed. This paper presents a set
of conditions for establishing delay-independent stability and bounding the
decay rate of a significant class of nonlinear positive systems which includes
positive linear systems as a special case. Specifically, when the time delays
have a known upper bound, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for
exponential stability of (a) continuous-time positive systems whose vector
fields are homogeneous and cooperative, and (b) discrete-time positive systems
whose vector fields are homogeneous and order preserving. We then present
explicit expressions that allow us to quantify the impact of delays on the
decay rate and show that the best decay rate of positive linear systems that
our bounds provide can be found via convex optimization. Finally, we extend the
results to general linear systems with time-varying delays.


title: Matter matters in asymptotically safe quantum gravity

abstract:
  We investigate the compatibility of minimally coupled scalar, fermion and
gauge fields with asymptotically safe quantum gravity, using nonperturbative
functional Renormalization Group methods. We study d=4,5 and 6 dimensions and
within certain approximations find that for a given number of gauge fields
there is a maximal number of scalar and fermion degrees of freedom compatible
with an interacting fixed point at positive Newton coupling. The bounds impose
severe constraints on grand unification with fundamental Higgs scalars.
Supersymmetry and universal extra dimensions are also generally disfavored. The
standard model and its extensions accommodating right-handed neutrinos, the
axion and dark-matter models with a single scalar are compatible with a fixed
point.


title:
Manipulating a qubit through the backaction of sequential partial
  measurements and real-time feedback

abstract:
  Quantum measurements not only extract information from a system but also
alter its state. Although the outcome of the measurement is probabilistic, the
backaction imparted on the measured system is accurately described by quantum
theory. Therefore, quantum measurements can be exploited for manipulating
quantum systems without the need for control fields. We demonstrate
measurement-only state manipulation on a nuclear spin qubit in diamond by
adaptive partial measurements. We implement the partial measurement via tunable
correlation with an electron ancilla qubit and subsequent ancilla readout. We
vary the measurement strength to observe controlled wavefunction collapse and
find post-selected quantum weak values. By combining a novel quantum
non-demolition readout on the ancilla with real-time adaption of the
measurement strength we realize steering of the nuclear spin to a target state
by measurements alone. Besides being of fundamental interest, adaptive
measurements can improve metrology applications and are key to
measurement-based quantum computing.


title:
Towards a continuum model for particle-induced velocity fluctuations in
  suspension flow through a stenosed geometry

abstract:
  Non-particulate continuum descriptions allow for computationally efficient
modeling of suspension flows at scales that are inaccessible to more detailed
particulate approaches. It is well known that the presence of particles
influences the effective viscosity of a suspension and that this effect has
thus to be accounted for in macroscopic continuum models. The present paper
aims at developing a non-particulate model that reproduces not only the
rheology but also the cell-induced velocity fluctuations, responsible for
enhanced diffusivity. The results are obtained from a coarse-grained blood
model based on the lattice Boltzmann method. The benchmark system comprises a
flow between two parallel plates with one of them featuring a smooth obstacle
imitating a stenosis. Appropriate boundary conditions are developed for the
particulate model to generate equilibrated cell configurations mimicking an
infinite channel in front of the stenosis. The averaged flow field in the bulk
of the channel can be described well by a non-particulate simulation with a
matched viscosity. We show that our proposed phenomenological model is capable
to reproduce many features of the velocity fluctuations.


title: Visualizing and Understanding Convolutional Networks

abstract:
  Large Convolutional Network models have recently demonstrated impressive
classification performance on the ImageNet benchmark. However there is no clear
understanding of why they perform so well, or how they might be improved. In
this paper we address both issues. We introduce a novel visualization technique
that gives insight into the function of intermediate feature layers and the
operation of the classifier. We also perform an ablation study to discover the
performance contribution from different model layers. This enables us to find
model architectures that outperform Krizhevsky \etal on the ImageNet
classification benchmark. We show our ImageNet model generalizes well to other
datasets: when the softmax classifier is retrained, it convincingly beats the
current state-of-the-art results on Caltech-101 and Caltech-256 datasets.


title: A universal deviation inequality for random polytopes

abstract:
  We consider the convex hull of a finite sample of i.i.d. points uniformly
distributed in a convex body in $\R^d$, $d\geq 2$. We prove an exponential
deviation inequality, which leads to rate optimal upper bounds on all the
moments of the missing volume of the convex hull, uniformly over all convex
bodies of $\R^d$, with no restriction on their volume, location in the space
and smoothness of the boundary.


title:
Protocol Design and Stability Analysis of Cooperative Cognitive Radio
  Users

abstract:
  A single cognitive radio transmitter--receiver pair shares the spectrum with
two primary users communicating with their respective receivers. Each primary
user has a local traffic queue, whereas the cognitive user has three queues;
one storing its own traffic while the other two are relaying queues used to
store primary relayed packets admitted from the two primary users. A new
cooperative cognitive medium access control protocol for the described network
is proposed, where the cognitive user exploits the idle periods of the primary
spectrum bands. Traffic arrival to each relaying queue is controlled using a
tuneable admittance factor, while relaying queues service scheduling is
controlled via channel access probabilities assigned to each queue based on the
band of operation. The stability region of the proposed protocol is
characterized shedding light on its maximum expected throughput. Numerical
results demonstrate the performance gains of the proposed cooperative cognitive
protocol.


title: Magnetic ordering with reduced cerium moments in hole-doped CeOs2Al10

abstract:
  The lightly hole-doped system CeOs1.94Re0.06Al10 has been studied by muon
spin relaxation and neutron diffraction measurements. A long-range
antiferromagnetic ordering of the Ce-sublattice with substantially reduced
value of the magnetic moment 0.18(1) \mu_B has been found below T_N = 21 K.
Similar to the undoped parent compound, the magnetic ground state of
CeOs1.94Re0.06Al10 preserves the anomalous direction of the ordered moments
along the c-axis. The obtained result reveals the crucial difference between
electron- and hole-doping effects on the magnetic ordering in CeOs2Al10. The
former suppresses the anisotropic c-f hybridization and promotes localized Ce
moments. On the contrary, the latter increases the hybridization and shifts the
system towards delocalized non-magnetic state.


title: The ${\mathscr P}(\varphi)_2$ Model on the de Sitter Space

abstract:
  In 1975 by Figari, H{\o}egh-Krohn and Nappi constructed the ${\mathscr
P}(\varphi)_2$ model on the two-dimensional de Sitter space. Here we complement
their work with a number of new results.


title: Centrality in Interconnected Multilayer Networks

abstract:
  Real-world complex systems exhibit multiple levels of relationships. In many
cases, they require to be modeled by interconnected multilayer networks,
characterizing interactions on several levels simultaneously. It is of crucial
importance in many fields, from economics to biology, from urban planning to
social sciences, to identify the most (or the less) influent nodes in a
network. However, defining the centrality of actors in an interconnected
structure is not trivial.
  In this paper, we capitalize on the tensorial formalism, recently proposed to
characterize and investigate this kind of complex topologies, to show how
several centrality measures -- well-known in the case of standard ("monoplex")
networks -- can be extended naturally to the realm of interconnected
multiplexes. We consider diagnostics widely used in different fields, e.g.,
computer science, biology, communication and social sciences, to cite only some
of them. We show, both theoretically and numerically, that using the weighted
monoplex obtained by aggregating the multilayer network leads, in general, to
relevant differences in ranking the nodes by their importance.


title:
Brownian Paths Homogeneously Distributed in Space: Percolation Phase
  Transition and Uniqueness of the Unbounded Cluster

abstract:
  We consider a continuum percolation model on $\R^d$, $d\geq 1$.For
$t,\lambda\in (0,\infty)$ and $d\in\{1,2,3\}$, the occupied set is given by the
union of independent Brownian paths running up to time $t$ whoseinitial points
form a Poisson point process with intensity $\lambda\textgreater{}0$.When
$d\geq 4$, the Brownian paths are replaced by Wiener sausageswith radius
$r\textgreater{}0$.We establish that, for $d=1$ and all choices of $t$, no
percolation occurs,whereas for $d\geq 2$, there is a non-trivial percolation
transitionin $t$, provided $\lambda$ and $r$ are chosen properly.The last
statement means that $\lambda$ has to be chosen to be strictly smaller than the
critical percolation parameter for the occupied set at time zero(which is
infinite when $d\in\{2,3\}$, but finite and dependent on $r$ when $d\geq 4$).We
further show that for all $d\geq 2$, the unbounded cluster in the supercritical
phase is unique.Along the way a finite box criterion for non-percolation in the
Boolean model is extended to radius distributions with an exponential tail.
This may be of independent interest.The present paper settles the basic
properties of the model and should be viewed as a jumpboard for finer results.


title: Positronium in Basis Light-Front Quantization

abstract:
  We present a calculation of the mass spectrum of positronium within the
framework of the recently developed Basis Light-Front Quantization approach to
non-perturbative quantum field theory. In this calculation, we employ a
two-body effective interaction for the photon exchange, neglecting self-energy
effects. We demonstrate the cancellation of Light-Front small-{\it x}
divergences within our non-perturbative approach. The resulting spectrum is
compared to both non-relativistic quantum mechanics and previous work in
Discretized Light-Cone Quantization.


title:
Transverse Momentum Distributions in p-Pb collisions and Tsallis
  Thermodynamics

abstract:
  The transverse momentum distributions of charged particles in p-Pb collisions
as sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02 TeV measured by the ALICE collaboration are fitted using
Tsallis statistics. The use of a thermodynamically consistent form of this
distribution leads to an excellent description of the transverse momentum
distributions for all rapidity intervals. The values of the Tsallis parameter
q, the temperature T and the radius R of the system do not change within the
measured pseudorapidity intervall.


title:
Low-mass galaxy assembly in simulations: regulation of early star
  formation by radiation from massive stars

abstract:
  Despite recent success in forming realistic present-day galaxies, simulations
still form the bulk of their stars earlier than observations indicate. We
investigate the process of stellar mass assembly in low-mass field galaxies, a
dwarf and a typical spiral, focusing on the effects of radiation from young
stellar clusters on the star formation (SF) histories. We implement a novel
model of SF with a deterministic low efficiency per free-fall time, as observed
in molecular clouds. Stellar feedback is based on observations of star-forming
regions, and includes radiation pressure from massive stars, photoheating in H
II regions, supernovae and stellar winds. We find that stellar radiation has a
strong effect on the formation of low-mass galaxies, especially at z > 1, where
it efficiently suppresses SF by dispersing cold and dense gas, preventing
runaway growth of the stellar component. This behaviour is evident in a variety
of observations but had so far eluded analytical and numerical models without
radiation feedback. Compared to supernovae alone, radiation feedback reduces
the SF rate by a factor of ~100 at z < 2, yielding rising SF histories which
reproduce recent observations of Local Group dwarfs. Stellar radiation also
produces bulgeless spiral galaxies and may be responsible for excess thickening
of the stellar disc. The galaxies also feature rotation curves and baryon
fractions in excellent agreement with current data. Lastly, the dwarf galaxy
shows a very slow reduction of the central dark matter density caused by
radiation feedback over the last ~7 Gyr of cosmic evolution.


title:
Exploring universal patterns in human home-work commuting from mobile
  phone data

abstract:
  Home-work commuting has always attracted significant research attention
because of its impact on human mobility. One of the key assumptions in this
domain of study is the universal uniformity of commute times. However, a true
comparison of commute patterns has often been hindered by the intrinsic
differences in data collection methods, which make observation from different
countries potentially biased and unreliable. In the present work, we approach
this problem through the use of mobile phone call detail records (CDRs), which
offers a consistent method for investigating mobility patterns in wholly
different parts of the world. We apply our analysis to a broad range of
datasets, at both the country and city scale. Additionally, we compare these
results with those obtained from vehicle GPS traces in Milan. While different
regions have some unique commute time characteristics, we show that the
home-work time distributions and average values within a single region are
indeed largely independent of commute distance or country (Portugal, Ivory
Coast, and Boston)--despite substantial spatial and infrastructural
differences. Furthermore, a comparative analysis demonstrates that such
distance-independence holds true only if we consider multimodal commute
behaviors--as consistent with previous studies. In car-only (Milan GPS traces)
and car-heavy (Saudi Arabia) commute datasets, we see that commute time is
indeed influenced by commute distance.


title: A Misanthropic Reinterpretation of the Chinese Room Problem

abstract:
  The chinese room problem asks if computers can think; I ask here if most
humans can.


title: On the experimental verification of quantum complexity in linear optics

abstract:
  The first quantum technologies to solve computational problems that are
beyond the capabilities of classical computers are likely to be devices that
exploit characteristics inherent to a particular physical system, to tackle a
bespoke problem suited to those characteristics. Evidence implies that the
detection of ensembles of photons, which have propagated through a linear
optical circuit, is equivalent to sampling from a probability distribution that
is intractable to classical simulation. However, it is probable that the
complexity of this type of sampling problem means that its solution is
classically unverifiable within a feasible number of trials, and the task of
establishing correct operation becomes one of gathering sufficiently convincing
circumstantial evidence. Here, we develop scalable methods to experimentally
establish correct operation for this class of sampling algorithm, which we
implement with two different types of optical circuits for 3, 4, and 5 photons,
on Hilbert spaces of up to 50,000 dimensions. With only a small number of
trials, we establish a confidence >99% that we are not sampling from a uniform
distribution or a classical distribution, and we demonstrate a unitary specific
witness that functions robustly for small amounts of data. Like the algorithmic
operations they endorse, our methods exploit the characteristics native to the
quantum system in question. Here we observe and make an application of a
"bosonic clouding" phenomenon, interesting in its own right, where photons are
found in local groups of modes superposed across two locations. Our broad
approach is likely to be practical for all architectures for quantum
technologies where formal verification methods for quantum algorithms are
either intractable or unknown.


title: A novel local search based on variable-focusing for random K-SAT

abstract:
  We introduce a new local search algorithm for satisfiability problems. Usual
approaches focus uniformly on unsatisfied clauses. The new method works by
picking uniformly random variables in unsatisfied clauses. A Variable-based
Focused Metropolis Search (V-FMS) is then applied to random 3-SAT. We show that
it is quite comparable in performance to the clause-based FMS. Consequences for
algorithmic design are discussed.


title: Dual characters of the Hecke algebra and twisted Markov traces

abstract:
  Twisted Markov traces and irreducible characters of the Hecke algebra are
dual.


title:
Influence of the C/O ratio on titanium and vanadium oxides in
  protoplanetary disks

abstract:
  Context. The observation of carbon-rich disks have motivated several studies
questioning the influence of the C/O ratio on their gas phase composition in
order to establish the connection between the metallicity of hot-Jupiters and
that of their parent stars.
  Aims. We to propose a method that allows the characterization of the adopted
C/O ratio in protoplanetary disks independently from the determination of the
host star composition. Titanium and vanadium chemistries are investigated
because they are strong optical absorbers and also because their oxides are
known to be sensitive to the C/O ratio in some exoplanet atmospheres.
  Methods. We use a commercial package based on the Gibbs energy minimization
technique to compute the titanium and vanadium equilibrium chemistries in
protoplanetary disks for C/O ratios ranging from 0.05 to 10. Our calculations
are performed for pressures ranging from 1e-6 to 1e-2 bar, and for temperatures
ranging from 50 to 2000 K.
  Results. We find that the vanadium nitride/vanadium oxide and titanium
hydride/titanium oxide gas phase ratios strongly depend on the C/O ratio in the
hot parts of disks (T > 1000 K). Our calculations suggest that, in these
regions, these ratios can be used as tracers of the C/O value in protoplanetary
disks.


title:
First-principles theory of low-energy electron diffraction and quantum
  interference in few-layer graphene

abstract:
  We present a computationally efficient method to incorporate
density-functional theory into the calculation of reflectivity in low-energy
electron microscopy. The reflectivity is determined by matching plane waves
representing the electron beams to the Kohn-Sham wave functions calculated for
a finite slab in a supercell. We show that the observed quantum interference
effects in the reflectivity spectra of a few layers of graphene on a substrate
can be reproduced well by the calculations using a moderate slab thickness.


title: On the Possibility of Reversible Magnonic Logic Gates

abstract:
  We propose and develop a concept of magnonic logic gates enabling reversible
computing. The gates consist of passive elements: waveguides, cross-junctions
and phase shifters. Logical 0 and 1 are encoded in the relative phase of the
propagating spin wave packets (0 or {\pi}). The gates contain several possible
trajectories for each packet to propagate from the input to the output.
Re-direction of the spin wave packets among the possible trajectories is due to
the interference in the magnetic cross-junctions. Two wave packets coming to
the cross-junction in-phase propagate through the junction without reflection.
Two packets coming out-of-phase to the junction are completely reflected back.
The operation of the cross-junction is illustrated by numerical modeling. We
estimate the power dissipation in the proposed circuits and the feasibility of
cascading such magnetic devices in large circuits. The proposed gates may
potentially provide a route to magnetic reversible logic circuitry with power
dissipation less than kT per operation.


title: Dominating surface group representations by Fuchsian ones

abstract:
  We prove that a representation from the fundamental group of a closed surface
of negative Euler characteristic with values in the isometry group of a
Riemannian manifold of sectional curvature bounded by -1 can be dominated by a
Fuchsian representation. Moreover, we prove that the domination can be made
strict, unless the representation is discrete and faithful in restriction to an
invariant totally geodesic 2-plane of curvature -1. When applied to
representations into PSL(2,R) of non-extremal Euler class, our result is a step
forward in understanding the space of closed anti-de Sitter 3-manifolds.


title: Quantum effects improve the energy efficiency of feedback control

abstract:
  The laws of thermodynamics apply equally well to quantum systems as to
classical systems, and because of this quantum effects do not change the
fundamental thermodynamic efficiency of isothermal refrigerators or engines. We
show that, despite this fact, quantum mechanics permits measurement-based
feedback control protocols that are more thermodynamically efficient than their
classical counterparts. As part of our analysis we perform a detailed
accounting of the thermodynamics of unitary feedback control, and elucidate the
sources of inefficiency in measurement-based and coherent feedback.


title: Is Rho-Meson Melting Compatible with Chiral Restoration?

abstract:
  Utilizing in-medium vector spectral functions which describe dilepton data in
ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation
of QCD and Weinberg sum rules at finite temperature. The starting point is our
recent study in vacuum, where the sum rules have been quantitatively satisfied
using phenomenological axial-/vector spectral functions which describe hadronic
tau-decay data. In the medium, the temperature dependence of condensates and
chiral order parameters is taken from thermal lattice QCD where available, and
otherwise estimated from a hadron resonance gas. Since little is known about
the in-medium axial-vector spectral function, we model it with a Breit-Wigner
ansatz allowing for smooth temperature variations of its width and mass
parameters. Our study thus amounts to testing the compatibility of the
$\rho$-broadening found in dilepton experiments with (the approach toward)
chiral restoration, and thereby searching for viable in-medium axial-vector
spectral functions.


title:
Unconventional sign-changing superconductivity near quantum criticality
  in YFe$_2$Ge$_2$

abstract:
  I present the results of first principles calculations of the electronic
structure and magnetic interactions for the recently discovered superconductor
YFe$_2$Ge$_2$ and use them to identify the nature of superconductivity and
quantum criticality in this compound. I find that the Fe $3d$ derived states
near the Fermi level show a rich structure with the presence of both linearly
dispersive and heavy bands. The Fermi surface exhibits nesting between hole and
electron sheets that manifests as a peak in the susceptibility at $(1/2,1/2)$.
I propose that the superconductivity in this compound is mediated by
antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations associated with this peak resulting in a
$s_\pm$ state similar to the previously discovered iron-based superconductors.
I also find that various magnetic orderings are almost degenerate in energy,
which indicates that the proximity to quantum criticality is due to competing
magnetic interactions.


title: On the spectral origin of non-Markovianity: an exact finite model

abstract:
  Non-homogeneous chain environments (e.g. segmented ion traps) are
investigated through an exact diagonalization approach.
  Different spectral densities, including band-gaps, can be engineered to
separately assess memory effects. Environment non-Markovianity is quantified
with recently introduced measures of information flow-back and non-divisibility
of the system dynamical map. By sweeping the bath spectrum via tuning of the
system frequency we show strongest memory effect at band-gap edges and provide
an interpretation based on energy flow between system and environment. A system
weakly coupled to a stiff chain ensures a Markovian dynamics, while the size of
the environment as well as the local density of modes are not substantial
factors. We show an opposite effect when increasing the temperature inside or
outside the spectral band-gap. Further, non-Markovianity arises for larger
(negative and positive) powers of algebraic spectral densities, being the Ohmic
case not always the most Markovian one.


title:
Fuzzy Mating Behavior Enhances Species Coexistence and Delays Extinction
  in Diverse Communities

abstract:
  Current theories about mechanisms promoting species co-existence in diverse
communities assume that species only interact ecologically. Species are treated
as discrete evolutionary entities, even though abundant empirical evidence
indicates that patterns of gene flow such as selfing and hybridization
frequently occur in plant and animal groups. Here, we allow mating behavior to
respond to local species composition and abundance in a data-driven
meta-community model of species co-existence. While individuals primarily
out-cross, they also maintain some small capacity for selfing and
hybridization. Mating choice is treated as a 'fuzzy' behavior, determined by an
interaction between intrinsic properties affecting mate choice and extrinsic
properties of the local community, primarily the density and availability of
sympatric inter-fertile species. When mate choice is strongly limited, even low
survivorship of selfed offspring (<10%) can prevent extinction of rare species.
With increasing mate choice, low hybridization success rates (~20%) maintain
community level diversity for substantially longer periods of time. Given the
low species densities and high diversity of tropical tree communities, the
evolutionary costs of competition among sympatric congeneric species are
negligible because direct competition is infrequent. In diverse communities,
many species are chronically rare and thus vulnerable to stochastic extinction,
which occurs rapidly if species are completely reproductively isolated. By
incorporating fuzzy mating behavior into models of species co-existence, a more
realistic understanding of the extinction process can be developed. Fuzzy
mating strategies, potentially an important mechanism for rare species to
escape extinction and gain local adaptations, should be incorporated into
forest management strategies.


title: Coupled-cluster calculations of nucleonic matter

abstract:
  Background: The equation of state (EoS) of nucleonic matter is central for
the understanding of bulk nuclear properties, the physics of neutron star
crusts, and the energy release in supernova explosions.
  Purpose: This work presents coupled-cluster calculations of infinite
nucleonic matter using modern interactions from chiral effective field theory
(EFT). It assesses the role of correlations beyond particle-particle and
hole-hole ladders, and the role of three-nucleon-forces (3NFs) in nuclear
matter calculations with chiral interactions.
  Methods: This work employs the optimized nucleon-nucleon NN potential NNLOopt
at next-to-next-to leading-order, and presents coupled-cluster computations of
the EoS for symmetric nuclear matter and neutron matter. The coupled-cluster
method employs up to selected triples clusters and the single-particle space
consists of a momentum-space lattice. We compare our results with benchmark
calculations and control finite-size effects and shell oscillations via
twist-averaged boundary conditions.
  Results: We provide several benchmarks to validate the formalism and show
that our results exhibit a good convergence toward the thermodynamic limit.
While neutron matter with interactions from chiral EFT is perturbative,
symmetric nuclear matter requires nonperturbative approaches. Correlations
beyond the standard particle-particle ladder approximation yield non-negligible
contributions. The saturation point of symmetric nuclear matter is sensitive to
the employed 3NFs and the employed regularization scheme. 3NFs with nonlocal
cutoffs exhibit a considerably improved convergence than their local cousins.
We are unable to find values for the parameters of the short-range part of the
local 3NF that simultaneously yield acceptable values for the saturation point
in symmetric nuclear matter and the binding energies of light nuclei.


title: Searching for primordial magnetism with multi-frequency CMB experiments

abstract:
  Bounds on the amplitude of a scale-invariant stochastic primordial magnetic
field (PMF) can be significantly improved by measurements of the Faraday
Rotation (FR) of CMB polarization. The mode-coupling correlations induced by FR
make it possible to extract it from cross-correlations of the B-mode
polarization with the E-mode and the temperature anisotropy. In this paper, we
construct an estimator of the rotation measure that appropriately combines
measurements of the FR from multiple frequency channels. We study the
dependence of the signal-to-noise in the PMF detection on the resolution and
the noise of the detectors, as well as the removal of the weak lensing
contribution and the galactic FR. We show that a recently proposed space-based
experiment PRISM can detect magnetic fields of 0.1 nano-Gauss strength at a 2
sigma level. Higher detection levels can be achieved by reducing the detector
noise and improving the resolution or increasing the number of channels in the
30-70 GHz frequency range.


title: Parallelization of Loops with Variable Distance Data Dependences

abstract:
  The extent of parallelization of a loop is largely determined by the
dependences between its statements. While dependence free loops are fully
parallelizable, those with loop carried dependences are not. Dependence
distance is a measure of absolute difference between a pair of dependent
iterations. Loops with constant distance data dependence, because of uniform
distance between the dependent iterations, lead to easy partitioning of the
iteration space and hence they have been successfully dealt with.
  Parallelization of loops with variable distance data dependences is a
considerably difficult problem. It is our belief that partitioning the
iteration space in such loops cannot be done without examining solutions of the
corresponding Linear Diophantine Equations. Focus of this work is to study
variable distance data dependences and examine the relation between dependent
iterations. Our analysis based on parametric solution leads to a mathematical
formulation capturing dependence between iterations. Our approach shows the
existence of reasonable exploitable parallelism in variable distance data
dependences loops with multiple LDEs.


title: Lazy Probabilistic Model Checking without Determinisation

abstract:
  The bottleneck in the quantitative analysis of Markov chains and Markov
decision processes against specifications given in LTL or as some form of
nondeterministic B\"uchi automata is the inclusion of a determinisation step of
the automaton under consideration. In this paper, we show that full
determinisation can be avoided: subset and breakpoint constructions suffice. We
have implemented our approach---both explicit and symbolic versions---in a
prototype tool. Our experiments show that our prototype can compete with mature
tools like PRISM.


title: On a quadratic functional for scalar conservation laws

abstract:
  We prove a quadratic interaction estimate for approximate solutions to scalar
conservation laws obtained by the wavefront tracking approximation or the Glimm
scheme. This quadratic estimate has been used in the literature to prove the
convergence rate of the Glimm scheme. The proof is based on the introduction of
a quadratic functional $\mathfrak Q(t)$, decreasing at every interaction, and
such that its total variation in time is bounded. Differently from other
interaction potentials present in the literature, the form of this functional
is the natural extension of the original Glimm functional, and coincides with
it in the genuinely nonlinear case.


title: A physical model for state transitions in black hole X-ray binaries

abstract:
  We present an accretion cycle which can explain state transitions and other
observed phenomena in black hole X-ray binaries. This model is based on the
process of disc tearing, where individual rings of gas break off the disc and
precess effectively independently. This occurs when the Lense-Thirring effect
is stronger than the local disc viscosity. We discuss implications of this
model for quasi-periodic oscillations and the disc-jet-corona coupling. We also
speculate on applying this model to active galactic nuclei and other accreting
systems.


title:
Higgs-Pair Production and Measurement of the Triscalar Coupling at
  LHC(8,14)

abstract:
  We simulate the measurement of the triscalar Higgs coupling at LHC(8,14) via
pair production of h(125 GeV). We find that the most promising hh final state
is bb gamma gamma. We account for deviations of the triscalar coupling from its
SM value and study the effects of this coupling on the hh cross-section and
distributions with cut-based and multivariate methods. Our fit to the hh
production matrix element at LHC(14) with 3 ab^-1 yields a 40% uncertainty on
this coupling in the SM and a range of 25-80% uncertainties for non-SM values.


title:
Chemo-dynamical evolution of tidal dwarf galaxies. I. Method and IMF
  dependence

abstract:
  We present high-resolution simulations of tidal dwarf galaxies (TDG) to
investigate their early chemo-dynamical evolution and test their survivability.
In this work the simulation setup is introduced and the response of TDGs to
self-consistent star formation (SF) and an external tidal field is examined.
Throughout the simulation star cluster particles with variable masses down to
$5\,M_{\odot}$ form, depending on the local gas reservoir. For low cluster
masses $M_{\mathrm{cl}}$, the stellar initial mass function (IMF) is considered
to be either filled or truncated at a maximal star mass $m_\mathrm{max}$ to
represent the observed $m_{\mathrm{max}} - M_{\mathrm{cl}}$ relation (IGIMF
theory). The evolution of TDGs with fully-populated and truncated IMFs are
compared to study the impact of stellar energy feedback on their survivability.
Both TDGs experience an initial starburst but after a dynamical time they
evolve into dwarf galaxies with self-regulated and continuous SF. At this stage
the truncated-IMF model contains about 6 times more stellar mass than the
invariant IMF models, but the final bound gas mass is comparable in both
models. In spite of their significantly different SF histories, both TDG models
are not disrupted within the first 500 Myr. We conclude that TDGs can survive
an early starburst, independent of the underlying IMF description, even though
they do not harbor a stabilizing dark matter halo.


title: Electric/magnetic duality and RG flows in AdS4/CFT3

abstract:
  A large set of relevant deformations of the ABJM field theory on a stack of
M2 branes is captured holographically by D=4 N=8 SO(8)-gauged supergravity,
which has accordingly been applied to study renormalisation group (RG) flows of
the field theory between distinct superconformal phases. Recently, it has been
discovered that this supergravity is not unique, and that a one-parameter
family of gaugings of maximal supergravity exists. The parameter is an angle
that measures the mixture of electric and magnetic vectors that gauge SO(8)
dyonically. We construct and comprehensively characterise all domain walls
between the critical points of the new supergravities with at least SU(3)
invariance, which are expected to be dual to RG flows of new field theories
defined at least at large N. We also construct some walls running off to
infinity in scalar space, which we expect to be dual to Coulomb branch flows of
these field theories.


title:
R144 : a very massive binary likely ejected from R136 through a
  binary-binary encounter

abstract:
  R144 is a recently confirmed very massive, spectroscopic binary which appears
isolated from the core of the massive young star cluster R136. The dynamical
ejection hypothesis as an origin for its location is claimed improbable by Sana
et al. due to its binary nature and high mass. We demonstrate here by means of
direct N-body calculations that a very massive binary system can be readily
dynamically ejected from a R136-like cluster, through a close encounter with a
very massive system. One out of four N-body cluster models produces a
dynamically ejected very massive binary system with a mass comparable to R144.
The system has a system mass of $\approx$ 355 Msun and is located at 36.8 pc
from the centre of its parent cluster, moving away from the cluster with a
velocity of 57 km/s at 2 Myr as a result of a binary-binary interaction. This
implies that R144 could have been ejected from R136 through a strong encounter
with an other massive binary or single star. In addition, we discuss all
massive binaries and single stars which are ejected dynamically from their
parent cluster in the N-body models.


title: Chern-Simons terms from thermal circles and anomalies

abstract:
  We compute the full contribution of flavor and (or) Lorentz anomalies to the
thermodynamic partition function. Apart from the Wess-Zumino consistency
condition the Euclidean generating function must satisfy an extra requirement
which we refer to as `consistency with the Euclidean vacuum.' The latter
requirement fixes all Chern-Simons terms that arise in a particular
Kaluza-Klein reduction of the theory. The solution to both conditions may be
encoded in a `thermal anomaly polynomial' which we compute. Our construction
fixes all the thermodynamic response parameters of a hydrodynamic theory
associated with anomalies.


title:
Fractional Quantum Hall Matrix Product States For Interacting Conformal
  Field Theories

abstract:
  Using truncated conformal field theory (CFT), we present the formalism
necessary to obtain exact matrix product state (MPS) representations for any
fractional quantum hall model state which can be written as an expectation
value of primary fields in some conformal field theory. The auxiliary bond
space is the Hilbert space of the descendants of primary fields and matrix
elements can be calculated using well-known CFT commutation relations. We
obtain a site-independent MPS representation on the thin annulus and cylinder,
while a site-dependent representation is possible on the disk and sphere
geometries. We discuss the complications that arise due to the presence of null
vectors in the theory's Hilbert space, and present an array of procedures which
optimize the numerical calculation of matrix elements. By truncating the
Hilbert space of the CFT, we then build an approximate MPS representation for
Laughlin, Moore-Read, Read-Rezayi, Gaffnian, minimal $M(3,r+2)$ models, and a
series of superconformal minimal models. We show how to obtain, in the MPS
representation, the Orbital, Particle, and Real Space entanglement spectrum in
both the finite and infinite systems.


title: Constraining Dark Matter-Baryon Scattering with Linear Cosmology

abstract:
  We derive constraints on elastic scattering between baryons and dark matter
using the cosmic microwave background (CMB) data from the Planck satellite and
the Lyman-alpha forest data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Elastic
scattering allows baryons and dark matter to exchange momentum, affecting the
dynamics of linear density perturbations in the early Universe. We derive
constraints to scattering cross sections of the form sigma \propto v^n,
allowing for a wide range of velocity dependencies with n between -4 and 2. We
improve and correct previous estimates where they exist, including
velocity-independent cross section as well as dark matter millicharge and
electromagnetic dipole moments. Lyman-alpha forest data dominates the
constraints for n>-3, where the improvement over CMB data alone can be several
orders of magnitude. Dark matter-baryon scattering cannot affect the halo mass
function on mass scales M>10^{12} M_{solar}. Our results imply,
model-independently, that a baryon in the halo of a galaxy like our own Milky
Way, does not scatter from dark matter particles during the age of the galaxy.


title: Higher-spin massless S-matrices in four-dimensions

abstract:
  On-shell, analytic S-matrix elements in massless theories are constructed
from a finite set of primitive three-point amplitudes, which are fixed by
Poincare invariance up to an overall numerical constant. We classify \emph{all}
such three-point amplitudes in four-dimensions. Imposing the simplest
incarnation of Locality and Unitarity on four-particle amplitudes constructed
from these three-particle amplitudes rules out all but an extremely small
subset of interactions among higher-spin massless states. Notably, the
equivalence principle, and the Weinberg-Witten theorem, are simple corollaries
of this principle. Further, no massless states with helicity larger than two
may consistently interact with massless gravitons. Chromodynamics,
electrodynamics, Yukawa and $\phi^3$-theories are the only marginal and
relevant interactions between massless states. Finally, we show that
supersymmetry naturally emerges as a consistency condition on four-particle
amplitudes involving spin-3/2 states, which must always interact
gravitationally.


title: Topological energy bounds in generalized Skyrme models

abstract:
  The Skyrme model has a natural generalization amenable to a standard
hamiltonian treatment, consisting of the standard sigma model and the Skyrme
terms, a potential, and a certain term sextic in first derivatives. Here we
demonstrate that, in this theory, each pair of terms in the static energy
functional which may support topological solitons according to the Derrick
criterion (i.e., each pair of terms with opposite Derrick scaling) separately
posesses a topological energy bound. As a consequence, there exists a
four-parameter family of topological bounds for the full generalized Skyrme
model. The optimal bounds, i.e., the optimal values of the parameters, depend
both on the form of the potential and on the relative strength of the different
terms. It also follows that various submodels of the generalized Skyrme model
have one-parameter families of topological energy bounds. We also consider the
case of topological bounds for the generalized Skyrme model on a compact base
space as well as generalizations to higher dimensions.


title: Holographic Thermal Helicity

abstract:
  We study the thermal helicity, defined in arXiv:1211.3850, of a conformal
field theory with anomalies in the context of AdS$_{2n+1}$/CFT$_{2n}$. To do
so, we consider large charged rotating AdS black holes in the
Einstein-Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory with a negative cosmological constant
using fluid/gravity expansion. We compute the anomaly-induced current and
stress tensor of the dual CFT in leading order of the fluid/gravity derivative
expansion and show their agreement with the field theoretical replacement rule
for the thermal helicity. Such replacement rule is reflected in the bulk by new
replacement rules obeyed by the Hall currents around the black hole.


title:
Ultraviolet Extinction at High Galactic Latitudes II: The Ultraviolet
  Extinction Function

abstract:
  We present a dust-column--dependent extinction curve parameters for
ultraviolet wavelengths at high Galactic latitudes. This extinction function
diverges from previous work in that it takes into account the results of Peek &
Schiminovich 2013 (Paper I), which demonstrated that there is more reddening in
the GALEX bands than would be otherwise expected for E(B-V) < 0.2. We also test
the biases in the Planck and SFD extinction maps, and find that the SFD
extinction maps are significantly biased at E(B-V) < 0.2. We find that while an
extinction function that that takes into account a varying R_FUV with E(B-V)
dramatically improves our estimation of FUV-NUV colors, a fit that also
includes HI column density dependence is superior. The ultraviolet extinction
function we present here follows the model of Fitzpatrick 1999, varying only
the amplitude of the FUV rise parameter to be consistent with the data.


title: Planet Packing in Circumbinary Systems

abstract:
  The recent discovery of planets orbiting main sequence binaries will provide
crucial constraints for theories of binary and planet formation. The formation
pathway for these planets is complicated by uncertainties in the formation
mechanism of the host stars. In this paper, we compare the dynamical states of
single and binary star planetary systems. Specifically, we pose two questions:
(1) What does it mean for a circumbinary system to be dynamically packed? (2)
How many systems are required to differentiate between a population of packed
or sparse planets? We determine when circumbinary systems become dynamically
unstable as a function of the separation between the host-stars and the inner
planet, and the first and second planets. We show that these represent unique
stability constraints compared to single-star systems. We find that although
the existing Kepler data is insufficient to distinguish between a population of
packed or sparse circumbinary systems, a more thorough study of circumbinary
TTVs combined with an order of magnitude increase in the number of systems may
prove conclusive. Future space missions such as TESS provide the best
opportunity for increasing the sample size.


title:
SMA observations on faint Submillimeter Galaxies with S$_{850}$ < 2 mJy:
  Ultra Dusty Low-Luminosity Galaxies at High Redshift

abstract:
  We obtained SMA observations of eight faint (intrinsic 850 $\mu$m fluxes $<$
2 mJy) submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) discovered in SCUBA images of the massive
lensing cluster fields A370, A2390, and A1689 and detected five. In total, we
obtain 5 SMA detections, all of which have de-lensed fluxes $<$1 mJy with
estimated total infrared luminosities 10$^{10}-10^{12}$ $L_\odot$, comparable
to luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) and normal star-forming galaxies. Based
on the latest number counts, these galaxies contribute $\sim$70% of the 850
$\mu$m extragalactic background light and represent the dominant star-forming
galaxy population in the dusty universe. However, only 40$^{+30}_{-16}$% of our
faint SMGs would be detected in deep optical or near-infrared surveys, which
suggests many of these sources are at high redshifts ($z \gtrsim 3$) or
extremely dusty, and they are not included in current star formation history
estimates.


title: Heavy superpartners with less tuning from hidden sector renormalisation

abstract:
  In supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model, superpartner masses
consistent with collider bounds typically introduce significant tuning of the
electroweak scale. We show that hidden sector renormalisation can greatly
reduce such a tuning if the supersymmetry breaking, or mediating, sector runs
through a region of strong coupling not far from the weak scale. In the
simplest models, only the tuning due to the gaugino masses is improved, and a
weak scale gluino mass in the region of 5 TeV may be obtained with an
associated tuning of only one part in ten. In models with more complex
couplings between the visible and hidden sectors, the tuning with respect to
sfermions can also be reduced. We give an example of a model, with low scale
gauge mediation and superpartner masses allowed by current LHC bounds, that has
an overall tuning of one part in twenty.


title: New N=1 Dualities from M5-branes and Outer-automorphism Twists

abstract:
  We generalize recent construction of four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=1$ SCFT
from wrapping six-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=(2,0)$ theory on a Riemann surface
to the case of $D$-type with outer-automorphism twists. This construction
allows us to build various dual theories for a class of $\mathcal{N}=1$ quiver
theories of $SO-USp$ type. In particular, we find there are five dual frames to
$SO(2N)/USp(2N-2)/G_2$ gauge theories with $(4N-4)/4N/8$ fundamental flavors,
where three of them are non-Lagrangian. We check the dualities by computing the
anomaly coefficients and the superconformal indices. In the process we verify
that the index of $D_4$ theory on a certain three punctured sphere with $Z_2$
and $Z_3$ twist lines exhibits the expected symmetry enhancement from $G_2
\times USp(6)$ to $E_7$.


title: How universal is the entanglement spectrum?

abstract:
  It is now commonly believed that the ground state entanglement spectrum (ES)
exhibits universal features characteristic of a given phase. In this letter, we
show that this belief is false in general. Most significantly, we show that the
entanglement Hamiltonian can undergo quantum phase transitions in which its
ground state and low energy spectrum exhibit singular changes, even when the
physical system remains in the same phase. For broken symmetry problems, this
implies that the ES and the Renyi entropies can mislead entirely, while for
quantum Hall systems the ES has much less universal content than assumed to
date.


title: Herschel Observations of Debris Discs Orbiting Planet-hosting Subgiants

abstract:
  Debris discs are commonly detected orbiting main-sequence stars, yet little
is known regarding their fate as the star evolves to become a giant. Recent
observations of radial velocity detected planets orbiting giant stars highlight
this population and its importance for probing, for example, the population of
planetary systems orbiting intermediate mass stars. Our Herschel survey
observed a subset of the Johnson et al program subgiants, finding that 4/36
exhibit excess emission thought to indicate debris, of which 3/19 are
planet-hosting stars and 1/17 are stars with no current planet detections.
Given the small numbers involved, there is no evidence that the disc detection
rate around stars with planets is different to that around stars without
planets. Our detections provide a clear indication that large quantities of
dusty material can survive the stars' main-sequence lifetime and be detected on
the subgiant branch, with important implications for the evolution of planetary
systems and observations of polluted or dusty white dwarfs. Our detection rates
also provide an important constraint that can be included in models of debris
disc evolution.


title: An Empirical Bayes Approach for Multiple Tissue eQTL Analysis

abstract:
  Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses, which identify genetic
markers associated with the expression of a gene, are an important tool in the
understanding of diseases in human and other populations. While most eQTL
studies to date consider the connection between genetic variation and
expression in a single tissue, complex, multi-tissue data sets are now being
generated by the GTEx initiative. These data sets have the potential to improve
the findings of single tissue analyses by borrowing strength across tissues,
and the potential to elucidate the genotypic basis of differences between
tissues.
  In this paper we introduce and study a multivariate hierarchical Bayesian
model (MT-eQTL) for multi-tissue eQTL analysis. MT-eQTL directly models the
vector of correlations between expression and genotype across tissues. It
explicitly captures patterns of variation in the presence or absence of eQTLs,
as well as the heterogeneity of effect sizes across tissues. Moreover, the
model is applicable to complex designs in which the set of donors can (i) vary
from tissue to tissue, and (ii) exhibit incomplete overlap between tissues. The
MT-eQTL model is marginally consistent, in the sense that the model for a
subset of tissues can be obtained from the full model via marginalization.
Fitting of the MT-eQTL model is carried out via empirical Bayes, using an
approximate EM algorithm. Inferences concerning eQTL detection and the
configuration of eQTLs across tissues are derived from adaptive thresholding of
local false discovery rates, and maximum a-posteriori estimation, respectively.
We investigate the MT-eQTL model through a simulation study, and rigorously
establish the FDR control of the local FDR testing procedure under mild
assumptions appropriate for dependent data.


title:
Laboratory atomic transition data for precise optical quasar absorption
  spectroscopy

abstract:
  Quasar spectra reveal a rich array of important astrophysical information
about galaxies which intersect the quasar line of sight. They also enable tests
of the variability of fundamental constants over cosmological time and
distance-scales. Key to these endeavours are the laboratory frequencies,
isotopic and hyperfine structures of various metal-ion transitions. Here we
review and synthesize the existing information about these quantities for 43
transitions which are important for measuring possible changes in the
fine-structure constant, alpha, using optical quasar spectra, i.e. those of Na,
Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Zn. We also summarize the information
currently missing that precludes more transitions being used. We present an
up-to-date set of coefficients, q, which define the sensitivity of these
transitions to variations in alpha. New calculations of isotopic structures and
q coefficients are performed for SiII and TiII, including SiII 1808 and TiII
1910.6/1910.9 for the first time. Finally, simulated absorption-line spectra
are used to illustrate the systematic errors expected if the isotopic/hyperfine
structures are omitted from profile fitting analyses.
  To ensure transparency, repeatability and currency of the data and
calculations, we supply a comprehensive database as Supporting Information.
This will be updated as new measurements and calculations are performed.