title:
Deconvolving X-ray Spectral Variability Components in the Seyfert 1.5
  NGC 3227

abstract:
  We present the variability analysis of a 100 ks XMM-Newton observation of the
Seyfert 1.5 active galaxy NGC 3227. The observation found NGC 3227 in a period
where its hard power-law component displayed remarkably little long-term
variability. This lucky event allows us to observe clearly a soft spectral
component undergoing a large-amplitude but slow flux variation. Using combined
spectral and timing analysis we isolate two independent variable continuum
components and characterize their behavior as a function of timescale. Rapid
and coherent variations throughout the 0.2-10 keV band reveal a spectrally hard
(photon index ~ 1.7-1.8) power law, dominating the observed variability on
timescales of 30 ks and shorter. Another component produces coherent
fluctuations in 0.2-2 keV range and is much softer (photon index ~ 3); it
dominates the observed variability on timescales greater than 30 ks. Both
components are viewed through the same absorbers identified in the
time-averaged spectrum. The combined spectral and timing analysis breaks the
degeneracy between models for the soft excess: it is consistent with a
power-law or thermal Comptonized component, but not with a blackbody or an
ionized reflection component. We demonstrate that the rapid variability in NGC
3227 is intrinsic to continuum-emitting components and is not an effect of
variable absorption.


title:
An Alternative Accurate Tracer of Molecular Clouds: The "$X_{\rm
  CI}$-Factor"

abstract:
  We explore the utility of CI as an alternative high-fidelity gas mass tracer
for Galactic molecular clouds. We evaluate the X$_{\rm CI}$-factor for the 609
$\mu$m carbon line, the analog of the CO X-factor, which is the ratio of the
H$_2$ column density to the integrated $^{12}$CO(1-0) line intensity. We use
3D-PDR to post-process hydrodynamic simulations of turbulent, star-forming
clouds. We compare the emission of CI and CO for model clouds irradiated by 1
and 10 times the average background and demonstrate that CI is a comparable or
superior tracer of the molecular gas distribution for column densities up to $6
\times 10^{23}$ cm$^{-2}$. Our results hold for both reduced and full chemical
networks. For our fiducial Galactic cloud we derive an average $X_{\rm CO}$ of
$3.0\times 10^{20}$ cm$^{-2}$K$^{-1}$km$^{-1}$s and $X_{\rm CI}$ of $1.1\times
10^{21}$ cm$^{-2}$K$^{-1}$km$^{-1}$s.


title:
First gravitational lensing mass estimate of a damped Lyman-alpha galaxy
  at z=2.2

abstract:
  We present the first lensing total mass estimate of a galaxy, at redshift
2.207, that acts as a gravitational deflector and damped Lyman-alpha absorber
on the background QSO SDSS J1135-0010, at redshift 2.888. The remarkably small
projected distance, or impact parameter, between the lens and the source has
been estimated to be 0.8 +/- 0.1 kpc in a recent work. By exploiting the Sloan
Digital Sky Survey database, we establish a likely lensing magnification signal
in the photometry of the QSO. This is determined to be 2.2 mag brighter (or 8
times more luminous) than the median QSO at comparable redshifts. We describe
the total mass distribution of the lens galaxy with a one-component singular
isothermal sphere model and contrast the values of the observed and
model-predicted magnification factors. For the former, we use conservatively
the photometric data of the 95% of the available distant QSO population. We
estimate that the values of the lens effective velocity dispersion and
two-dimensional total mass, projected within a cylinder with radius equal to
the impact parameter, are included between 60 and 170 km/s and 2.1 x 10^9 and
1.8 x 10^10 M_Sun, respectively. We conclude by remarking that analyses of this
kind are crucial to exploring the relation between the luminous and dark matter
components of galaxies in the high-redshift Universe.


title:
Statistical Properties of Multi-epoch Spectral Variability of SDSS
  Stripe82 Quasars

abstract:
  We investigate the UV-optical (longward of Ly$\alpha$ 1216\AA) spectral
variability of nearly 9000 quasars ($0<z<4$) using multi-epoch photometric data
within the SDSS Stripe 82 region. The regression slope in the flux-flux space
of a quasar light curve directly measures the color of the flux difference
spectrum, then the spectral shape of the flux difference spectra can be derived
by taking a careful look at the redshift dependence of the regression slopes.
First, we confirm that the observed quasar spectrum becomes bluer when the
quasar becomes brighter. We infer the spectral index of the composite
difference spectrum as $\alpha_{\nu}^{\text{dif}}\sim +1/3$ (in the form of
$f_{\nu}\propto \nu^{\alpha_{\nu}}$), which is significantly bluer than that of
the composite spectrum $\alpha_{\nu}^{\text{com}}\sim -0.5$. We also show that
the continuum variability cannot be explained by the accretion disk models with
varying mass accretion rate. Second, we examine the effects of broad emission
line variability on the color-redshift space. The variability of the "Small
Blue Bump" is extensively discussed. We show that the low-ionization lines of
MgII and FeII are less variable compared to Balmer emission lines and
high-ionization lines, and the Balmer continuum is the dominant variable source
around $\sim 3000$\AA. These results are compared with previous studies, and
the physical mechanisms of the variability of the continuum and emission lines
are discussed.


title:
Conditions on holographic entangling surfaces in higher curvature
  gravity

abstract:
  We study the extremal surfaces of functionals recently proposed for the
holographic calculation of entanglement entropy in general higher curvature
theories, using New Massive gravity and Gauss-Bonnet gravity as concrete
examples. We show that the entropy functionals admit closed extremal surfaces,
which for black hole backgrounds can encircle the event horizon of the black
hole. In the examples considered, such closed surfaces correspond to a lower
value of the entropy functional than expected from CFT calculations, implying a
seeming mismatch between the bulk and boundary calculations. For Lorentzian
settings we show that this problem can be resolved by imposing a causality
constraint on the extremal surfaces. The possibility of deriving conditions
from an alternative conical boundary condition method as proposed by Lewkowycz
and Maldacena is explored.


title:
Varying [CII]/[NII] line ratios in the interacting system BR1202-0725 at
  z=4.7

abstract:
  We study the properties of the interstellar medium in the interacting system
BR1202-0725 at z=4.7 via its [NII] and [CII] fine-structure line emission. This
system consists of a QSO, a sub-mm galaxy (SMG), and two Ly-alpha emitters
(LAEs). Such a diversity in galaxy properties makes BR1202-0725 a unique
laboratory of star formation and galaxy evolution at high redshift. We present
ionized nitrogen ([NII] 205 micron) observations of this system, obtained with
the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. We find no [NII] emission at the
quasar location, but tentative [NII] line detections associated with the SMG
and one of the LAEs. Together with available ionized carbon ([CII] 158 micron)
ALMA observations of this system, we find the following: The [CII]/[NII]
luminosity ratio is >5.5 for the QSO and the SMG, but it is as low as ~2 in the
LAE, suggesting that, in this source, most of the [CII] emission is associated
with the ionized medium (HII regions) rather than the neutral one (PDRs). This
study demonstrates the importance of combined studies of multiple
fine--structure lines in order to pin down the physical properties of the
interstellar medium in distant galaxies.


title: Novel metals and insulators from holography

abstract:
  Using simple holographic models in $D=4$ spacetime dimensions we construct
black hole solutions dual to $d=3$ CFTs at finite charge density with a
Q-lattice deformation. At zero temperature we find new ground state solutions
with broken translation invariance, either in one or both spatial directions,
which exhibit insulating or metallic behaviour depending on the parameters of
the holographic theory. For low temperatures and small frequencies, the real
part of the optical conductivity has a power-law behaviour, with the exponent
determined by the ground state. We also obtain an expression for the the DC
conductivity at finite temperature in terms of horizon data of the black hole
solutions.


title: QCD Evolution of the Sivers Asymmetry

abstract:
  We study the QCD evolution of the Sivers effect in both semi-inclusive deep
inelastic scattering (SIDIS) and Drell-Yan production (DY). We pay close
attention to the non-perturbative spin-independent Sudakov factor in the
evolution formalism and find a universal form which can describe reasonably
well the experimental data on the transverse momentum distributions in SIDIS,
DY lepton pair and $W/Z$ production. With this Sudakov factor at hand, we
perform a global fitting of all the experimental data on the Sivers asymmetry
in SIDIS from HERMES, COMPASS and Jefferson Lab. We then make predictions for
the Sivers asymmetry in DY lepton pair and $W$ production that can be compared
to the future experimental measurements to test the sign change of the Sivers
functions between SIDIS and DY processes and constrain the sea quark Sivers
functions.


title: Emergent bubbling geometries in the plane wave matrix model

abstract:
  The gravity dual geometry of the plane wave matrix model is given by the
bubbling geometry in the type IIA supergravity, which is described by an
axially symmetric electrostatic system. We study a quarter BPS sector of the
plane wave matrix model in terms of the localization method and show that this
sector can be mapped to a one-dimensional interacting Fermi gas system. We find
that the mean-field density of the Fermi gas can be identified with the charge
density in the electrostatic system in the gravity side. We also find that the
scaling limits in which the dual geometry reduces to the D2-brane or NS5-brane
geometry are given as the free limit or the strongly coupled limit of the Fermi
gas system, respectively. We reproduce the radii of $S^5$'s in these geometries
by solving the Fermi gas model in the corresponding limits.


title: The 2nd Fermi GBM Gamma-Ray Burst Catalog: The First Four Years

abstract:
  This is the second of a series of catalogs of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)
observed with the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM). It extends the first
two-year catalog by two more years, resulting in an overall list of 953 GBM
triggered GRBs. The intention of the GBM GRB catalog is to provide information
to the community on the most important observables of the GBM detected GRBs.
For each GRB the location and main characteristics of the prompt emission, the
duration, peak flux and fluence are derived. The latter two quantities are
calculated for the 50 - 300 keV energy band, where the maximum energy release
of GRBs in the instrument reference system is observed and also for a broader
energy band from 10 - 1000 keV, exploiting the full energy range of GBMs
low-energy detectors. Furthermore, information is given on the settings and
modifications of the triggering criteria and exceptional operational conditions
during years three and four in the mission. This second catalog is an official
product of the Fermi GBM science team, and the data files containing the
complete results are available from the High-Energy Astrophysics Science
Archive Research Center (HEASARC).


title:
Forming misaligned stellar discs around a massive black hole: Cloud
  infall in the Galactic Centre

abstract:
  The innermost parsec around Sgr A* has been found to play host to two discs
or streamers of O and W-R stars. They are misaligned by an angle approaching 90
degrees. That the stars are approximately coeval indicates that they formed in
the same event rather than independently. We have performed SPH simulations of
the infall of a single prolate cloud towards a massive black hole. As the cloud
is disrupted, the large spread in angular momentum can, if conditions allow,
lead to the creation of misaligned gas discs. In turn, stars may form within
those discs. We are now investigating the origins of these clouds in the
Galactic Centre (GC) region.


title:
The Interstellar Medium and Star Formation in Local Galaxies: Variations
  of the Star Formation Law in Simulations

abstract:
  We use the Adaptive Mesh Refinement code Enzo to model the interstellar
medium in isolated local disk galaxies. The simulation includes a treatment for
star formation and stellar feedback. We get a highly supersonic turbulent disk,
which is fragmented at multiple scales and characterized by a multi-phase
interstellar medium. We show that a Kennicutt-Schmidt (KS) relation only holds
when averaging over large scales. However, values of star formation rates and
gas surface densities lie close in the plot for any averaging size. This
suggests an intrinsic relation between stars and gas at cell-size scales, which
dominates over the global dynamical evolution. To investigate this effect, we
develop a method to simulate the creation of stars based on the density field
from the snapshots, without running the code again. We also investigate how the
star formation law is affected by the characteristic star formation timescale,
the density threshold and the efficiency considered in the recipe. We find that
the slope of the law might vary from ~1.4 for a free-fall timescale, to ~1.0
for a constant depletion timescale. We further demonstrate that a power-law is
recovered just by assuming that the mass of the new stars is a fraction of the
mass of the cell $m_\star=\epsilon\rho_{\rm gas}\Delta x^3$, with no other
physical criteria required. We show that both efficiency and density threshold
do not affect the slope, but the right combination of them can adjust the
normalization of the relation, which in turn could explain a possible
bi-modality in the law.


title:
Non-Commutative Geometry, Non-Associative Geometry and the Standard
  Model of Particle Physics

abstract:
  Connes' notion of non-commutative geometry (NCG) generalizes Riemannian
geometry and yields a striking reinterepretation of the standard model of
particle physics, coupled to Einstein gravity. We suggest a simple
reformulation with two key mathematical advantages: (i) it unifies many of the
traditional NCG axioms into a single one; and (ii) it immediately generalizes
from non-commutative to non-associative geometry. Remarkably, it also resolves
a long-standing problem plaguing the NCG construction of the standard model, by
precisely eliminating from the action the collection of 7 unwanted terms that
previously had to be removed by an extra, non-geometric, assumption. With this
problem solved, the NCG algorithm for constructing the standard model action is
tighter and more explanatory than the traditional one based on effective field
theory.


title: Rational F-Theory GUTs without exotics

abstract:
  We construct F-theory GUT models without exotic matter, leading to the MSSM
matter spectrum with potential singlet extensions. The interplay of engineering
explicit geometric setups, absence of four-dimensional anomalies, and realistic
phenomenology of the couplings places severe constraints on the allowed local
models in a given geometry. In constructions based on the spectral cover we
find no model satisfying all these requirements. We then provide a survey of
models with additional U(1) symmetries arising from rational sections of the
elliptic fibration in toric constructions and obtain phenomenologically
appealing models based on SU(5) tops. Furthermore we perform a bottom-up
exploration beyond the toric section constructions discussed in the literature
so far and identify benchmark models passing all our criteria, which can serve
as a guideline for future geometric engineering.


title:
Statistical mechanics of collisionless orbits. IV. Distribution of
  angular momentum

abstract:
  It has been shown in previous work that DARKexp, which is a theoretically
derived, maximum entropy, one shape parameter model for isotropic collisionless
systems, provides very good fits to simulated and observed dark-matter halos.
Specifically, it fits the energy distribution, N(E), and the density profiles,
including the central cusp. Here, we extend DARKexp N(E) to include the
distribution in angular momentum, L^2, for spherically symmetric systems.
First, we argue, based on theoretical, semi-analytical, and simulation results,
that while dark-matter halos are relaxed in energy, they are not nearly as
relaxed in angular momentum, which precludes using maximum entropy to uniquely
derive N(E,L^2). Instead, we require that when integrating N(E,L^2) over
squared angular momenta one retrieves the DARKexp N(E). Starting with a general
expression for N(E,L^2) we show how the distribution of particles in L^2 is
related to the shape of the velocity distribution function, VDF, and velocity
anisotropy profile, \beta(r). We then demonstrate that astrophysically
realistic halos, as judged by the VDF shape and \beta(r), must have linear or
convex distributions in L^2, for each separate energy bin. The distribution in
energy of the most bound particles must be nearly flat, and become more tilted
in favor of radial orbits for less bound particles. These results are
consistent with numerical simulations and represent an important step towards
deriving the full distribution function for spherically symmetric dark-matter
halos.


title: Over-constrained Weierstrass iteration and the nearest consistent system

abstract:
  We propose a generalization of the Weierstrass iteration for over-constrained
systems of equations and we prove that the proposed method is the Gauss-Newton
iteration to find the nearest system which has at least $k$ common roots and
which is obtained via a perturbation of prescribed structure. In the univariate
case we show the connection of our method to the optimization problem
formulated by Karmarkar and Lakshman for the nearest GCD. In the multivariate
case we generalize the expressions of Karmarkar and Lakshman, and give
explicitly several iteration functions to compute the optimum.
  The arithmetic complexity of the iterations is detailed.


title:
On regularizing the infrared singularities in QCD NLO splitting
  functions with the new Principal Value prescription

abstract:
  We propose a modified use of the Principal Value prescription for
regularizing the infrared singularities in the light-cone axial gauge by
applying it to all singularities in the light-cone plus component of
integration momentum. The modification is motivated by and applied to the
re-calculation of the QCD NLO splitting functions for the purpose of Monte
Carlo implementations. The final results agree with the standard PV
prescription whereas contributions from separate graphs get simplified.


title:
Non-local propagation of correlations in long-range interacting quantum
  systems

abstract:
  The maximum speed with which information can propagate in a quantum many-body
system directly affects how quickly disparate parts of the system can become
correlated and how difficult the system will be to describe numerically. For
systems with only short-range interactions, Lieb and Robinson derived a
constant-velocity bound that limits correlations to within a linear effective
light cone. However, little is known about the propagation speed in systems
with long-range interactions, since the best long-range bound is too loose to
give the correct light-cone shape for any known spin model and since analytic
solutions rarely exist. In this work, we experimentally determine the spatial
and time-dependent correlations of a far-from-equilibrium quantum many-body
system evolving under a long-range Ising- or XY-model Hamiltonian. For several
different interaction ranges, we extract the shape of the light cone and
measure the velocity with which correlations propagate through the system. In
many cases we find increasing propagation velocities, which violate the
Lieb-Robinson prediction, and in one instance cannot be explained by any
existing theory. Our results demonstrate that even modestly-sized quantum
simulators are well-poised for studying complicated many-body systems that are
intractable to classical computation.


title: Constraining gravity using entanglement in AdS/CFT

abstract:
  We investigate constraints imposed by entanglement on gravity in the context
of holography. First, by demanding that relative entropy is positive and using
the Ryu-Takayanagi entropy functional, we find certain constraints at a
nonlinear level for the dual gravity. Second, by considering Gauss-Bonnet
gravity, we show that for a class of small perturbations around the vacuum
state, the positivity of the two point function of the field theory stress
tensor guarantees the positivity of the relative entropy. Further, if we impose
that the entangling surface closes off smoothly in the bulk interior, we find
restrictions on the coupling constant in Gauss-Bonnet gravity. We also give an
example of an anisotropic excited state in an unstable phase with broken
conformal invariance which leads to a negative relative entropy.


title:
Polar nanoregions in water - a study of the dielectric properties of
  TIP4P/2005, TIP4P/2005f and TTM3F

abstract:
  We present a critical comparison of the dielectric properties of three models
of water - TIP4P/2005, TIP4P/2005f and TTM3F. Dipole spatial correlation is
measured using the distance dependent Kirkwood function along with one
dimensional and two dimensional dipole correlation functions. We find that the
introduction of flexibility alone does not significantly affect dipole
correlation and only affects $\varepsilon(\omega)$ at high frequencies. By
contrast the introduction of polarizability increases dipole correlation and
yields a more accurate $\varepsilon(\omega)$. Additionally the introduction of
polarizability creates temperature dependence in the dipole moment even at
fixed density, yielding a more accurate value for $d \varepsilon / d T$
compared to non-polarizable models. To better understand the physical origin of
the dielectric properties of water we make analogies to the physics of polar
nanoregions in relaxor ferroelectric materials. We show that
$\varepsilon(\omega,T)$ and $\tau_D(T)$ for water have striking similarities
with relaxor ferroelectrics, a class of materials characterized by large
frequency dispersion in $\varepsilon(\omega,T)$, Vogel-Fulcher-Tamann behaviour
in $\tau_D(T)$, and the existence of polar nanoregions.


title: Nonlocal memory assisted entanglement distribution in optical fibers

abstract:
  Successful implementation of several quantum information and communication
protocols require distributing entangled pairs of quantum bits in reliable
manner. While there exists a substantial amount of recent theoretical and
experimental activities dealing with non-Markovian quantum dynamics,
experimental application and verification of the usefulness of memory-effects
for quantum information tasks is still missing. We combine these two aspects
and show experimentally that a recently introduced concept of nonlocal memory
effects allows to protect and distribute polarization entangled pairs of
photons in efficient manner within polarization-maintaining (PM) optical
fibers. The introduced scheme is based on correlating the environments, i.e.
frequencies of the polarization entangled photons, before their physical
distribution. When comparing to the case without nonlocal memory effects, we
demonstrate at least 12-fold improvement in the channel, or fiber length, for
preserving the highly-entangled initial polarization states of photons against
dephasing.


title: Symmetric Two-User Gaussian Interference Channel with Common Messages

abstract:
  We consider symmetric two-user Gaussian interference channel with common
messages. We derive an upper bound on the sum capacity, and show that the upper
bound is tight in the low interference regime, where the optimal transmission
scheme is to send no common messages and each receiver treats interference as
noise. Our result shows that although the availability of common messages
provides a cooperation opportunity for transmitters, in the low interference
regime the presence of common messages does not help increase the sum capacity.


title: Localization and centrality in networks

abstract:
  Eigenvector centrality is a common measure of the importance of nodes in a
network. Here we show that under common conditions the eigenvector centrality
displays a localization transition that causes most of the weight of the
centrality to concentrate on a small number of nodes in the network. In this
regime the measure is no longer useful for distinguishing among the remaining
nodes and its efficacy as a network metric is impaired. As a remedy, we propose
an alternative centrality measure based on the nonbacktracking matrix, which
gives results closely similar to the standard eigenvector centrality in dense
networks where the latter is well behaved, but avoids localization and gives
useful results in regimes where the standard centrality fails.


title: Disorder induced magnetoresistance in a two dimensional electron system

abstract:
  We predict and demonstrate that a disorder induced carrier density
inhomogeneity causes magnetoresistance (MR) in a two-dimensional electron
system. Our experiments on graphene show a quadratic MR persisting far from the
charge neutrality point. Effective medium calculations show that for charged
impurity disorder, the low-field MR is a universal function of the ratio of
carrier density to fluctuations in carrier density, a power-law when this ratio
is large, in excellent agreement with experiment. The MR is generic and should
occur in other materials with large carrier density inhomogeneity.


title: Knot Invariants from Topological Recursion on Augmentation Varieties

abstract:
  Using the duality between Wilson loop expectation values of SU(N)
Chern-Simons theory on $S^3$ and topological open-string amplitudes on the
local mirror of the resolved conifold, we study knots on $S^3$ and their
invariants encoded in colored HOMFLY polynomials by means of topological
recursion. In the context of the local mirror Calabi-Yau threefold of the
resolved conifold, we generalize the topological recursion of the remodelled
B-model in order to study branes beyond the class of toric Harvey-Lawson
special Lagrangians -- as required for analyzing non-trivial knots on $S^3$.
The basic ingredients for the proposed recursion are the spectral curve, given
by the augmentation variety of the knot, and the calibrated annulus kernel,
encoding the topological annulus amplitudes associated to the knot. We present
an explicit construction of the calibrated annulus kernel for torus knots and
demonstrate the validity of the topological recursion. We further argue that --
if an explicit form of the calibrated annulus kernel is provided for any other
knot -- the proposed topological recursion should still be applicable. We study
the implications of our proposal for knot theory, which exhibit interesting
consequences for colored HOMFLY polynomials of mutant knots.


title: Bath-induced band decay of a Hubbard lattice gas

abstract:
  Dissipation is introduced to a strongly interacting ultracold bosonic gas in
the Mott-insulator regime of a 3D spin-dependent optical lattice. A weakly
interacting superfluid comprised of atoms in a state that does not experience
the lattice potential acts as a dissipative bath coupled to the lattice atoms
via collisions. Lattice atoms are excited to higher-energy bands via Bragg
transitions, and the resulting bath-induced decay is measured using the atomic
quasimomentum distribution. A competing but slower intrinsic decay mechanism
arising from collisions between lattice atoms is also investigated. The
measured bath-induced decay rate is compared with the predictions of a weakly
interacting model with no free parameters. The presence of intrinsic decay,
which cannot be accommodated within this framework, signals that strong
interactions may play a central role in the lattice-atom dynamics.


title: Distributed call-by-value machines

abstract:
  We present a new abstract machine, called DCESH, which describes the
execution of higher-order programs running in distributed architectures. DCESH
implements a generalised form of Remote Procedure Call that supports calling
higher-order functions across node boundaries, without sending actual code. Our
starting point is a variant of the SECD machine that we call the CES machine,
which implements reduction for untyped call-by-value PCF. We successively add
the features that we need for distributed execution and show the correctness of
each addition. First we add heaps, forming the CESH machine, which provides
features necessary for more efficient execution, and show that there is a
bisimulation between the CES and the CESH machine. Then we construct a
two-level operational semantics, where the high level is a network of
communicating machines, and the low level is given by local machine
transitions. Using these networks, we arrive at our final system, the
distributed CESH machine (DCESH). We show that there is a bisimulation relation
also between the CESH machine and the DCESH machine. All the technical results
have been formalised and proved correct in Agda, and a prototype compiler has
been developed.


title:
Study of Efficient Technique Based On 2D Tsallis Entropy For Image
  Thresholding

abstract:
  Thresholding is an important task in image processing. It is a main tool in
pattern recognition, image segmentation, edge detection and scene analysis. In
this paper, we present a new thresholding technique based on two-dimensional
Tsallis entropy. The two-dimensional Tsallis entropy was obtained from the
twodimensional histogram which was determined by using the gray value of the
pixels and the local average gray value of the pixels, the work it was applied
a generalized entropy formalism that represents a recent development in
statistical mechanics. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated
by using examples from the real-world and synthetic images. The performance
evaluation of the proposed technique in terms of the quality of the thresholded
images are presented. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method
achieve better result than the Shannon method.


title: A Stable Fountain Code Mechanism for Peer-to-Peer Content Distribution

abstract:
  Most peer-to-peer content distribution systems require the peers to privilege
the welfare of the overall system over greedily maximizing their own utility.
When downloading a file broken up into multiple pieces, peers are often asked
to pass on some possible download opportunities of common pieces in order to
favor rare pieces. This is to avoid the missing piece syndrome, which throttles
the download rate of the peer-to-peer system to that of downloading the file
straight from the server. In other situations, peers are asked to stay in the
system even though they have collected all the file's pieces and have an
incentive to leave right away.
  We propose a mechanism which allows peers to act greedily and yet stabilizes
the peer-to-peer content sharing system. Our mechanism combines a fountain code
at the server to generate innovative new pieces, and a prioritization for the
server to deliver pieces only to new peers. While by itself, neither the
fountain code nor the prioritization of new peers alone stabilizes the system,
we demonstrate that their combination does, through both analytical and
numerical evaluation.


title:
Direct imaging of the band profile in single layer ${\small MoS_2}$ on
  graphite: quasiparticle energy gap, metallic edge states and edge band
  bending

abstract:
  Using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy, we probe the electronic
structures of single layer ${\small MoS_2}$ on graphite. We show that the
quasiparticle energy gap of single layer ${\small MoS_2}$ is 2.15 $\pm$ 0.07 eV
at 77 K. Combining with temperature dependent photoluminescence studies, we
deduce an exciton binding energy of 0.22 $\pm$ 0.1 eV, a value that is much
lower than current theoretical predictions. Consistent with theoretical
predictions we directly observed metallic edge states of single layer ${\small
MoS_2}$. In the bulk region of ${\small MoS_2}$, the Fermi level is located at
1.8 eV above the valence band maximum, possibly due to the formation of a
graphite/${\small MoS_2}$ heterojunction. At the edge, however, we observe an
upward band bending of 0.6 eV within a short depletion length of about 5 nm,
analogous to the phenomena of Fermi level pinning of a 3D semiconductor by
metallic surface states.


title:
An operator definition and derivation of collisional energy and momentum
  loss in relativistic plasmas

abstract:
  We present an operator definition of the collisional energy and momentum loss
suffered by an energetic charged particle in the presence of a medium. Our
approach uses the energy-momentum tensor of the medium to evaluate the energy
and momentum transfer rates. We apply this formalism to an energetic lepton or
quark propagating in thermal electron-positron or quark-gluon plasmas,
respectively. By using two different approaches to describe the energetic
charged particle, an external current approach and a diagrammatic approach, we
show explicitly that the operator method reproduces the known results for
collisional energy loss from the scattering rate formalism. We further use our
results to evaluate the collisional energy and momentum loss for the cases of
heavy quark propagation through a quark-gluon plasma and energetic muon
propagation in an electron-positron plasma produced in a high-intensity laser
field.


title:
Improving Third-Party Relaying for LTE-A: A Realistic Simulation
  Approach

abstract:
  In this article we propose solutions to diverse conflicts that result from
the deployment of the (still immature) relay node (RN) technology in LTE-A
networks. These conflicts and their possible solutions have been observed by
implementing standard-compliant relay functionalities on the Vienna simulator.
  As an original experimental approach, we model realistic RN operation, taking
into account that transmitters are not active all the time due to half-duplex
RN operation. We have rearranged existing elements in the simulator in a manner
that emulates RN behavior, rather than implementing a standalone brand-new
component for the simulator. We also study analytically some of the issues
observed in the interaction between the network and the RNs, to draw
conclusions beyond simulation observation.
  The main observations of this paper are that: $i$) Additional time-varying
interference management steps are needed, because the LTE-A standard employs a
fixed time division between eNB-RN and RN-UE transmissions (typical relay
capacity or throughput research models balance them optimally, which is
unrealistic nowadays); $ii$) There is a trade-off between the time-division
constraints of relaying and multi-user diversity; the stricter the constraints
on relay scheduling are, the less flexibility schedulers have to exploit
channel variation; and $iii$) Thee standard contains a variety of parameters
for relaying configuration, but not all cases of interest are covered.


title:
Theory of pump-probe photoemission in graphene: Ultrafast tuning of
  Floquet bands and local pseudospin textures

abstract:
  The control of physical properties of solids with short laser pulses is an
intriguing prospect of ultrafast materials science. Continuous-wave
high-frequency laser driving with circular polarization was predicted to induce
a light-matter coupled new state possessing a quasi-static band structure with
an energy gap and a quantum Hall effect, coined "Floquet topological
insulator". Whereas the envisioned Floquet topological insulator requires well
separated Floquet bands and therefore high-frequency pumping, a natural
follow-up question regards the creation of Floquet-like states in graphene with
realistic pump laser pulses. Here we predict that with short low-frequency
laser pulses attainable in pump-probe experiments, states with local spectral
gaps at the Dirac points and novel pseudospin textures can be achieved in
graphene using circular light polarization. We demonstrate that time- and
angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy can track these states by measuring
sizeable energy gaps and quasi-Floquet energy bands that form on femtosecond
time scales. By analyzing Floquet energy level crossings and snapshots of
pseudospin textures near the Dirac points, we identify transitions to new
states with optically induced nontrivial changes of sublattice mixing that can
lead to Berry curvature corrections of electrical transport and magnetization.


title: Astrophysical constraints and insights on extended relativistic gravity

abstract:
  We give precise details to support that observations of gravitational lensing
at scales of individual, groups and clusters of galaxies can be understood in
terms of non-Newtonian gravitational interactions with a relativistic structure
compatible with the Einstein Equivalence Principle. This result is derived on
very general grounds without knowing the underlying structure of the
gravitational field equations. As such, any developed gravitational theory
built to deal with these astrophysical scales needs to reproduce the obtained
results of this article.


title: A real-time simulation facility for astronomical adaptive optics

abstract:
  In this paper we introduce the concept of real-time hardware-in-the-loop
simulation for astronomical adaptive optics, and present the case for the
requirement for such a facility. This real-time simulation, when linked with an
adaptive optics real-time control system, provides an essential tool for the
validation, verification and integration of the Extremely Large Telescope
real-time control systems prior to commissioning at the telescope. We
demonstrate that such a facility is crucial for the success of the future
extremely large telescopes.


title: Dynamical Meson Melting in Holography

abstract:
  We discuss mesons in thermalizing gluon backgrounds in the N=2 supersymmetric
QCD using the gravity dual. We numerically compute the dynamics of a probe
D7-brane in the Vaidya-AdS geometry that corresponds to a D3-brane background
thermalizing from zero to finite temperatures by energy injection. In static
backgrounds, it has been known that there are two kinds of brane embeddings
where the brane intersects the black hole or not. They correspond to the phases
with melted or stable mesons. In our dynamical setup, we obtain three cases
depending on final temperatures and injection time scales. The brane stays
outside of the black hole horizon when the final temperature is low, while it
intersects the horizon and settles down to the static equilibrium state when
the final temperature is high. Between these two cases, we find the overeager
case where the brane dynamically intersects the horizon although the final
temperature is not high enough for a static brane to intersect the horizon. The
interpretation of this phenomenon in the dual field theory is meson melting due
to non-thermal effects caused by rapid energy injection. In addition, we
comment on the late time evolution of the brane and a possibility of its
reconnection.


title: B\"uchi Types for Infinite Traces and Liveness

abstract:
  We develop a new type and effect system based on B\"uchi automata to capture
finite and infinite traces produced by programs in a small language which
allows non-deterministic choices and infinite recursions. There are two key
technical contributions: (a) an abstraction based on equivalence relations
defined by the policy B\"uchi automaton, the B\"uchi abstraction; (b) a novel
type and effect system to correctly capture infinite traces. We show how the
B\"uchi abstraction fits into the abstract interpretation framework and show
soundness and completeness.


title:
An Identification System Using Eye Detection Based On Wavelets And
  Neural Networks

abstract:
  The randomness and uniqueness of human eye patterns is a major breakthrough
in the search for quicker, easier and highly reliable forms of automatic human
identification. It is being used extensively in security solutions. This
includes access control to physical facilities, security systems and
information databases, Suspect tracking, surveillance and intrusion detection
and by various Intelligence agencies through out the world. We use the
advantage of human eye uniqueness to identify people and approve its validity
as a biometric. . Eye detection involves first extracting the eye from a
digital face image, and then encoding the unique patterns of the eye in such a
way that they can be compared with pre-registered eye patterns. The eye
detection system consists of an automatic segmentation system that is based on
the wavelet transform, and then the Wavelet analysis is used as a pre-processor
for a back propagation neural network with conjugate gradient learning. The
inputs to the neural network are the wavelet maxima neighborhood coefficients
of face images at a particular scale. The output of the neural network is the
classification of the input into an eye or non-eye region. An accuracy of 90%
is observed for identifying test images under different conditions included in
training stage.


title:
Initial Conditions for Modified DGLAP Evolution of the Modified
  Fragmentation Functions in Nuclear Medium

abstract:
  Initial conditions are required to solve medium modified DGLAP (mDGLAP)
evolution equations for modified fragmentation functions due to multiple
scatterings and parton energy loss. Such initial conditions should in principle
include energy loss for partons at scale $Q_0$ above which mDGLAP evolution
equations can be applied. Several models for the initial condition motivated by
induced gluon bremsstrahlung in perturbative QCD are used to calculate the
modified fragmentation functions in nuclear medium and to extract the jet
transport parameter $\hat q$ from fits to experimental data in deeply inelastic
scattering (DIS) off nuclei. The model with a Poisson convolution of multiple
gluon emissions is found to provide the overall best $\chi^2$/d.o.f. fit to the
HERMES data and gives a value of $\hat q_0 \approx 0.020 \pm 0.005$ GeV$^2$/fm
at the center of a large nucleus.


title: Plasma Physics of Extreme Astrophysical Environments

abstract:
  Certain classes of astrophysical objects, namely magnetars and central
engines of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), are characterized by extreme
physical conditions not encountered elsewhere in the Universe. In particular,
they possess magnetic fields that exceed the critical quantum field of 44
teragauss. Figuring out how these complex ultra-magnetized systems work
requires understanding various plasma processes, both small-scale kinetic and
large-scale magnetohydrodynamic (MHD). However, an ultra-strong magnetic field
modifies the underlying physics to such an extent that many relevant
plasma-physical problems call for building QED-based relativistic quantum
plasma physics. In this review, after describing the extreme astrophysical
systems of interest and identifying the key relevant plasma-physical problems,
we survey the recent progress in the development of such a theory. We discuss
how a super-critical field modifies the properties of vacuum and matter and
outline the basic theoretical framework for describing both non-relativistic
and relativistic quantum plasmas. We then turn to astrophysical applications of
relativistic QED plasma physics relevant to magnetar magnetospheres and central
engines of supernovae and long GRBs. Specifically, we discuss propagation of
light through a magnetar magnetosphere; large-scale MHD processes driving
magnetar activity and GRB jet launching and propagation; energy-transport
processes governing the thermodynamics of extreme plasma environments;
micro-scale kinetic plasma processes important in the interaction of intense
magnetospheric electric currents with a magnetar's surface; and magnetic
reconnection of ultra-strong magnetic fields. Finally, we point out that future
progress will require the development of numerical modeling capabilities.


title:
The Art of Software Design, a Video Game for Learning Software Design
  Principles

abstract:
  This paper introduces our gamification of a part of our software design
curriculum. Based on typical design principles a motivating learning game is
developed to train students in software design. We use Bloom's taxonomy to
determine learning objectives. We keep the player engaged with direct feedback
in a challenging level based game with increasing complexity. Players can
evaluate their design actions with the help of the visualisation of control and
data flows. The main learning objective: applying design principles, fits the
game's main activity. This supports the learning by doing approach of
lecturers. A user test indicates possible learning effects and a playable game.


title:
Heat-conducting, compressible mixtures with multicomponent diffusion:
  construction of a weak solution

abstract:
  We investigate a coupling between the compressible Navier-Stokes-Fourier
system and the full Maxwell-Stefan equations. This model describes the motion
of chemically reacting heat-conducting gaseous mixture. The viscosity
coefficients are density-dependent functions vanishing on vacuum and the
internal pressure depends on species concentrations. By several levels of
approximation we prove the global-in-time existence of weak solutions on the
three-dimensional torus.


title: Retracing some paths in Process Algebra

abstract:
  We use traced monoidal categories to give a precise general version of
"geometry of interaction". We give a number of examples of both
"particle-style" and "wave-style" instances of this construction. We relate
these ideas to semantics of computation.


title: On groups with cubic polynomial conditions

abstract:
  Given a finitely generated subgroup G of a ring R we provide a finite subset
of G such that if each element of this set satisfies some cubic polynomial
equation in one variable over the center Z of R then the subring generated by G
has finite Z-rank. We specialize our considerations to the case where the
polynomial equations are equal to (x-1)^3=0.


title:
Distance Determination To Eight Galaxies Using Expanding Photosphere
  Method

abstract:
  Type IIP supernovae are recognized as independent extragalactic distance
indicators, however, keeping in view of the diverse nature of their observed
properties as well as the availability of good quality data, more and newer
events need to be tested for their applicability as a reliable distance
indicators. We use early photometric and spectroscopic data of eight type-IIP
SNe to derive distances to their host galaxies using the expanding photosphere
method (EPM). For five of these, EPM is applied for the first time. In this
work, we improved EPM application by using SYNOW estimated velocities and by
semi-deconvolving the broadband filter responses while deriving color
temperatures and black-body angular radii. We find that the derived EPM
distances are consistent with that derived using other redshift independent
methods.


title: All Superparticles are BPS

abstract:
  The generic action for an N-extended superparticle in D-dimensional Minkowski
spacetime is shown to have "hidden" supersymmetries (related by "dualities" to
the manifest supersymmetries) such that the full supersymmetry algebra is
BPS-saturated; the exceptions (which include, trivially, the massless case) are
those for which the manifest supersymmetry algebra is already BPS-saturated.
Moreover, it is shown that any "non-BPS" superparticle action is a gauge-fixed
version of the "BPS" superparticle action for which all supersymmetries are
manifest. An example is the N=1 massive D=10 superparticle, which actually has
N=2 supersymmetry and is equivalent to the action for a D0-brane of IIA
superstring theory.


title: The CO-to-H2 Conversion Factor across the Perseus Molecular Cloud

abstract:
  We derive the CO-to-H2 conversion factor, X_CO = N(H2)/I_CO, across the
Perseus molecular cloud on sub-parsec scales by combining the dust-based N(H2)
data with the I_CO data from the COMPLETE Survey. We estimate an average X_CO ~
3 x 10^19 cm^-2 K^-1 km^-1 s and find a factor of ~3 variations in X_CO between
the five sub-regions in Perseus. Within the individual regions, X_CO varies by
a factor of ~100, suggesting that X_CO strongly depends on local conditions in
the interstellar medium. We find that X_CO sharply decreases at Av < 3 mag but
gradually increases at Av > 3 mag, with the transition occurring at Av where
I_CO becomes optically thick. We compare the N(HI), N(H2), I_CO, and X_CO
distributions with two models of the formation of molecular gas, a
one-dimensional photodissociation region (PDR) model and a three-dimensional
magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model tracking both the dynamical and chemical
evolution of gas. The PDR model based on the steady state and equilibrium
chemistry reproduces our data very well but requires a diffuse halo to match
the observed N(HI) and I_CO distributions. The MHD model generally matches our
data well, suggesting that time-dependent effects on H2 and CO formation are
insignificant for an evolved molecular cloud like Perseus. However, we find
interesting discrepancies, including a broader range of N(HI), likely
underestimated I_CO, and a large scatter of I_CO at small Av. These
discrepancies likely result from strong compressions/rarefactions and density
fluctuations in the MHD model.


title:
The NLO twist-3 contribution to the pion electromagnetic form factors in
  $k_{T}$ factorization

abstract:
  In this paper, by employing the $k_{T}$ factorization theorem, we calculate
firstly the next-to-leading-order (NLO) twist-3 contributions to the pion
electromagnetic form factors in the $\pi\gamma^* \to \pi$ process. From the
analytical and numerical calculations we find the following points: (a) For the
leading order (LO) twist-2, twist-3 and the NLO twist-2 contributions, our
results agree very well with those obtained in previous works; (b) We extract
out two factors $F^{(1)}_{\rm T3}(x_i,t,Q^2)$ and $\ov{F}^{(1)}_{\rm
T3}(x_i,t,Q^2)$, which describe directly the NLO twist-3 contributions to the
pion electromagnetic form factors $F^+(Q^2)$; (c) The NLO twist-3 contribution
is negative in sign and cancel partially with the NLO twist-2 part, the total
NLO contribution can therefore provide a roughly $\pm 20\%$ corrections to the
total LO contribution in the considered ranges of $Q^2$; and (d) The
theoretical predictions for $Q^2 F^+(Q^2)$ in the low-$Q^2$ region agree well
with currently available data, this agreement can be improved by the inclusion
of the NLO contributions.


title:
The role of planetary formation and evolution in shaping the composition
  of exoplanetary atmospheres

abstract:
  Over the last twenty years, the search for extrasolar planets revealed us the
rich diversity of the outcomes of the formation and evolution of planetary
systems. In order to fully understand how these extrasolar planets came to be,
however, the orbital and physical data we possess are not enough, and they need
to be complemented with information on the composition of the exoplanets.
Ground-based and space-based observations provided the first data on the
atmospheric composition of a few extrasolar planets, but a larger and more
detailed sample is required before we can fully take advantage of it. The
primary goal of the Exoplanet Characterization Observatory (EChO) is to fill
this gap, expanding the limited data we possess by performing a systematic
survey of hundreds of extrasolar planets. The full exploitation of the data
that EChO and other space-based and ground-based facilities will provide in the
near future, however, requires the knowledge of what are the sources and sinks
of the chemical species and molecules that will be observed. Luckily, the study
of the past history of the Solar System provides several indications on the
effects of processes like migration, late accretion and secular impacts, and on
the time they occur in the life of planetary systems. In this work we will
review what is already known about the factors influencing the composition of
planetary atmospheres, focusing on the case of gaseous giant planets, and what
instead still need to be investigated.


title: Sharp inequalities over the unit polydisc

abstract:
  Motivated by some results due to Burbea we prove that if a certain sharp
integral inequality holds for functions in the unit polydisc which belong to
concrete Hardy spaces, then it also holds, in an appropriate form, in the case
of functions from arbitrary Hardy spaces. We also examine the equality case. We
present an application of this main result to a Burbea inequality which
includes an isoperimetric type inequality as a special case.


title: Star-Formation in the Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxy F00183-7111

abstract:
  We report the detection of molecular CO(1-0) gas in F00183-7111, one of the
most extreme Ultra-Luminous Infrared Galaxies known, with the Australia
Telescope Compact Array. We measure a redshift of 0.3292 for F00183-7111 from
the CO(1-0) line and estimate the mass of the molecular gas in 00183 to be 1
$\times$ 10$^{10}$ M$_{\odot}$. We find that F00183-7111 is predominately
powered by the AGN and only $\sim$14 per cent of the total luminosity is
contributed by star-formation (SFR $\sim$220 M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$). We also
present an optical image of F00183-7111, which shows an extension to the East.
We searched for star-formation in this extension using radio continuum
observations but do not detect any. This suggests that the star-formation is
likely to be predominately nuclear. These observations provide additional
support for a model in which the radio emission from ULIRGs is powered by an
intense burst of star-formation and by a radio-loud AGN embedded in its
nucleus, both triggered by a merger of gas-rich galaxies.


title:
Nanocomposite NiO:Pd hydrogen sensors with sub-ppm detection limit and
  low operating temperature

abstract:
  We present results on the fabrication of chemiresistive nanocomposite NiO:Pd
hydrogen sensors, which are able to detect hydrogen concentrations as low as
300 ppb in air, operating at temperatures in the 115-145 C range. Thin NiO
films were deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering on silicon and
quartz substrates and their structural and morphological properties were
characterized. Pd nanoparticles were added on the NiO surface via pulsed laser
deposition and the films were tested as hydrogen sensors before and after Pd
deposition. The presence of Pd nanoparticles improved the sensor performance,
leading to the detection of hydrogen concentrations at sub-ppm levels.
Moreover, the response time of the sensors decreased by a factor between two
and four.


title: Laminational models for some spaces of polynomials of any degree

abstract:
  The so-called "pinched disk" model of the Mandelbrot set is due to A.~Douady,
J.~H.~Hubbard and W.~P.~Thurston. It can be described in the language of
geodesic laminations. The combinatorial model is the quotient space of the unit
disk under an equivalence relation that, loosely speaking, "pinches" the disk
in the plane (whence the name of the model). The significance of the model lies
in particular in the fact that this quotient is planar and therefore can be
easily visualized. The conjecture that the Mandelbrot set is actually
homeomorphic to this model is equivalent to the celebrated MLC conjecture
stating that the Mandelbrot set is locally connected.
  For parameter spaces of higher degree polynomials no combinatorial model is
known. One possible reason may be that the higher degree analog of the MLC
conjecture is known to be false. We investigate to which extent a geodesic
lamination is determined by the location of its critical sets and when
different choices of critical sets lead to essentially the same lamination.
This yields models of various parameter spaces of laminations similar to the
"pinched disk" model of the Mandelbrot set.


title: Channels with cost constraints: strong converse and dispersion

abstract:
  This paper shows the strong converse and the dispersion of memoryless
channels with cost constraints and performs refined analysis of the third order
term in the asymptotic expansion of the maximum achievable channel coding rate,
showing that it is equal to $\frac 1 2 \frac {\log n}{n}$ in most cases of
interest. The analysis is based on a non-asymptotic converse bound expressed in
terms of the distribution of a random variable termed the $\mathsf b$-tilted
information density, which plays a role similar to that of the $\mathsf
d$-tilted information in lossy source coding. We also analyze the fundamental
limits of lossy joint-source-channel coding over channels with cost
constraints.


title: Nonasymptotic noisy lossy source coding

abstract:
  This paper shows new general nonasymptotic achievability and converse bounds
and performs their dispersion analysis for the lossy compression problem in
which the compressor observes the source through a noisy channel. While this
problem is asymptotically equivalent to a noiseless lossy source coding problem
with a modified distortion function, nonasymptotically there is a noticeable
gap in how fast their minimum achievable coding rates approach the common
rate-distortion function, as evidenced both by the refined asymptotic analysis
(dispersion) and the numerical results. The size of the gap between the
dispersions of the noisy problem and the asymptotically equivalent noiseless
problem depends on the stochastic variability of the channel through which the
compressor observes the source.


title:
Mechanisms of the refractive index change in DO11/PMMA due to
  photodegradation

abstract:
  Using a white light interferometric microscope (WLIM) we measure the
photodamage induced change in the complex index of refraction of disperse
orange 11 (DO11) dye-doped (poly)methyl-methacrylate. We find that the change
in the imaginary part of the refractive index is consistent with previous
measurements of photodamage-induced absorbance change. Additionally, we find
that the change in the real refractive index can be separated into a component
due to damage to the dye molecules and a component due to irreversible damage
to the polymer.


title:
Computing the differential Galois group of a parameterized second-order
  linear differential equation

abstract:
  We develop algorithms to compute the differential Galois group $G$ associated
to a parameterized second-order homogeneous linear differential equation of the
form \[ \tfrac{\partial^2}{\partial x^2} Y + r_1 \tfrac{\partial}{\partial x} Y
+ r_0 Y = 0, \] where the coefficients $r_1, r_0 \in F(x)$ are rational
functions in $x$ with coefficients in a partial differential field $F$ of
characteristic zero. Our work relies on the procedure developed by Dreyfus to
compute $G$ under the assumption that $r_1 = 0$. We show how to complete this
procedure to cover the cases where $r_1 \neq 0$, by reinterpreting a classical
change of variables procedure in Galois-theoretic terms.


title:
The SLUGGS Survey: New evidence for a tidal interaction between the
  early type galaxies NGC 4365 and NGC 4342

abstract:
  We present new imaging and spectral data for globular clusters (GCs) around
NGC 4365 and NGC 4342. NGC 4342 is a compact, X-ray luminous S0 galaxy with an
unusually massive central black hole. NGC 4365 is another atypical galaxy that
dominates the W' group of which NGC 4342 is a member. Using imaging from the
MegaCam instrument on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) we identify a
stream of GCs between the two galaxies and extending beyond NGC 4342. The
stream of GCs is spatially coincident with a stream/plume of stars previously
identified. We find that the photometric colours of the stream GCs match those
associated with NGC 4342, and that the recession velocity of the combined GCs
from the stream and NGC 4342 match the recession velocity for NGC 4342 itself.
These results suggest that NGC 4342 is being stripped of GCs (and stars) as it
undergoes a tidal interaction with the nearby elliptical galaxy NGC 4365. We
compare NGC 4342 to two well-known, tidally stripped galaxies (M32 and NGC
4486B) and find various similarities. We also discuss previous claims by Bogdan
et al. (2012a) that NGC 4342 cannot be undergoing significant tidal stripping
because it hosts a large dark matter halo.


title: Classical simulation of entangled states

abstract:
  Description of nonclassicality of states has hitherto been through violation
of Bell inequality and non-separability, with the latter being a stronger
constraint. In this paper, we show that this can be further sharpened, by
introducing the concept of classical simulation. A state admits classical
simulation if it can be mimicked fully by a separable state of higher
dimension. A nonclassical state, which we call exceptional, does not admit
classical simulation. Focusing on two qubit states, we show that exceptionality
is more stringent than violation of Bell inequality, and involves an intricate
interplay of coherence and entanglement. The new criterion is shown to provide
a natural description of entangled states which respect Bell inequality, and
also a way of enumerating the classical resources that are required to simulate
a quantum state. Possible implications to quantum dynamics and quantum
information are briefly touched upon.


title:
A5-miseq: an updated pipeline to assemble microbial genomes from
  Illumina MiSeq data

abstract:
  Motivation: Open-source bacterial genome assembly remains inaccessible to
many biologists due to its complexity. Few software solutions exist that are
capable of automating all steps in the process of de novo genome assembly from
Illumina data.
  Results: A5-miseq can produce high quality microbial genome assemblies from
as little as 20-fold sequence data coverage on a laptop computer without any
parameter tuning. A5-miseq does this by automating the process of adapter
trimming, quality filtering, error correction, contig and scaffold generation,
and detection of misassemblies. Unlike the original A5 pipeline, A5-miseq can
use long reads from the Illumina MiSeq, use read pairing information during
contig generation, and includes several improvements to read trimming. Together
these changes result in substantially improved assemblies that recover a more
complete set of reference genes than previous methods.
  Availability: A5-miseq is licensed under the GPL open source license. Source
code and precompiled binaries for Mac OS X 10.6+ and Linux 2.6.15+ are
available from http://sourceforge.net/projects/ngopt


title:
Multiple-Channel Scattering Resonance of One-Dimensional Ultracold
  Spinor Bosons

abstract:
  So far the interaction of ultacold atoms can only be tuned within one
particular scattering channel near a resonance, where the spinor structure of
atomic isotopes is destroyed due to the typically large magnetic field. In this
Letter, we propose a scheme to realize {\it multiple-channel scattering
resonance} (MCSR) of ultracold bosons in one-dimension while still keeping
their spinor structure. The MCSR refers to a simultaneous scattering resonance
among all different scattering channels, including those breaking SU(2) and
SO(2) spin rotation symmetries. Essential ingredients for MCSR include the 3D
interactions, the confinement potential and a spin-flipping field. Near MCSR a
many-body spinor system exhibits exotic spin density distributions and pair
correlations, which are significantly different from those near a
single-channel resonance.


title:
Capacity of optical communication in loss and noise with general
  Gaussian receivers

abstract:
  Laser-light (coherent-state) modulation is sufficient to achieve the ultimate
(Holevo) capacity of classical communication over a lossy and noisy optical
channel, but requires a receiver that jointly detects long modulated codewords
with highly nonlinear quantum operations, which are near-impossible to realize
using current technology. We analyze the capacity of the lossy-noisy optical
channel when the transmitter uses coherent state modulation but the receiver is
restricted to a general quantum-limited Gaussian receiver, i.e., one that may
involve arbitrary combinations of Gaussian operations (passive linear optics:
beamsplitters and phase-shifters, second order nonlinear optics (or active
linear optics): squeezers, along with homodyne or heterodyne detection
measurements) and any amount of classical feedforward within the receiver.
Under these assumptions, we show that the Gaussian receiver that attains the
maximum mutual information is either homodyne detection, heterodyne detection,
or time sharing between the two, depending upon the received power level. In
other words, our result shows that to exceed the theoretical limit of
conventional coherent optical communications, one has to incorporate
non-Gaussian, i.e., third or higher-order nonlinear operations in the receiver.
Finally we compare our Gaussian receiver limit with experimentally feasible
non-Gaussian receivers and show that in the regime of low received photon flux,
it is possible to overcome the Gaussian receiver limit by relatively simple
non-Gaussian receivers based on photon counting.


title: Magnonic Holographic Memory

abstract:
  Holography is a technique based on the wave nature of light which allows us
to utilize wave interference between the object beam and the coherent
background. Holography is usually associated with images being made from light,
however, this is only a narrow field of holography. The first holograms were
designed for use with electron microscopes and it was not until a decade later
with the advent of the laser that optical holographic images were popularized.
Multiple other fields have had major contributions made by using wave
interference to produce holograms, including acoustic holograms used in seismic
applications, and microwave holography used in radar systems. Holography has
been also recognized as a future data storing technology with unprecedented
data storage capacity and ability to write and read a large number of data in a
highly parallel manner. Here, we present a magnonic holographic memory device
exploiting spin wave interference.


title:
Optimal error estimates of mixed FEMs for second order hyperbolic
  integro-differential equations with minimal smoothness on initial data

abstract:
  In this article, mixed finite element methods are discussed for a class of
hyperbolic integro-differential equations (HIDEs). Based on a modification of
the nonstandard energy formulation of Baker, both semidiscrete and completely
discrete implicit schemes for an extended mixed method are analyzed and optimal
L^{\infty}(L^2)-error estimates are derived under minimal smoothness
assumptions on the initial data. Further, quasi-optimal estimates are shown to
hold in L^{\infty}(L^{\infty})-norm. Finally, the analysis is extended to the
standard mixed method for HIDEs and optimal error estimates in
L^{\infty}(L^2)-norm are derived again under minimal smoothness on initial
data.


title: Zelevinsky involution and l-adic cohomology of the Rapoport-Zink tower

abstract:
  In this paper, we investigate how the Zelevinsky involution appears in the
l-adic cohomology of the Rapoport-Zink tower. We generalize the result of
Fargues on the Drinfeld tower to the Rapoport-Zink towers for symplectic
similitude groups.


title:
A Unifying Framework for Typical Multi-Task Multiple Kernel Learning
  Problems

abstract:
  Over the past few years, Multi-Kernel Learning (MKL) has received significant
attention among data-driven feature selection techniques in the context of
kernel-based learning. MKL formulations have been devised and solved for a
broad spectrum of machine learning problems, including Multi-Task Learning
(MTL). Solving different MKL formulations usually involves designing algorithms
that are tailored to the problem at hand, which is, typically, a non-trivial
accomplishment.
  In this paper we present a general Multi-Task Multi-Kernel Learning
(Multi-Task MKL) framework that subsumes well-known Multi-Task MKL
formulations, as well as several important MKL approaches on single-task
problems. We then derive a simple algorithm that can solve the unifying
framework. To demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed framework, we
formulate a new learning problem, namely Partially-Shared Common Space (PSCS)
Multi-Task MKL, and demonstrate its merits through experimentation.


title: Cluster Algebras of Grassmannians are Locally Acyclic

abstract:
  Considered as commutative algebras, cluster algebras can be very unpleasant
objects. However, the first author introduced a condition known as "local
acyclicity" which implies that cluster algebras behave reasonably. One of the
earliest and most fundamental examples of a cluster algebra is the homogenous
coordinate ring of the Grassmannian. We show that the Grassmannian is locally
acyclic. Morally, we are in fact showing the stronger result that all positroid
varieties are locally acyclic. However, it has not been shown that all
positroid varieties have cluster structure, so what we actually prove is that
certain cluster varieties associated to Postnikov's alternating strand diagrams
are locally acylic. Moreover, we actually establish a slightly stronger
property than local acyclicity, which we term the Louise property, that is
designed to facilitate proofs involving the Mayer-Vietores sequence.


title: Cyclotron Line Variability

abstract:
  We systematically analyzed the spectra of X-ray binary pulsars observed with
GINGA (Mihara 1995). A new model NPEX (Negative and Positive power-laws
EXponential) was introduced t o represent the pulsar continuum. Combining the
NPEX continuum with the CYAB factor (cyclotron resonance scattering model), we
successfully fit the whole-band spectra of all the pulsars. A possible physical
meaning of the NPEX model is the Comptonized spectra.
  By using the smooth and concave NPEX model, the cyclotron structures were
detected from 12 pulsars, about a half of the 23 sources, including new
discoveries from LMC X-4 and GS 1843+00. The magnetic fields were scattered in
the range of $3\times10^{11}$ - $5\times10^{12}$ G. The distribution was shown
for the first time, which is remarkably similar to that of radio pulsars with a
peak at $2 \times 10^{12}$ G.
  The double harmonic cyclotron structures of 4U 0115+63 in 1990 changed to a
sin gle structure in 1991. The resonance energy also increased by 40 % as the
luminosity decreased to 1/6. If we attribute this change to the height of the
scattering region in a dipole m agnetic field, the height change is $\sim$ 1.1
km. Such changes of the resonance energies with luminosities are observed from
5 pulsars and can be explained by the accretion column height model.


title:
A priori error estimates for finite volume element approximations to
  second order linear hyperbolic integro-differential equations

abstract:
  In this paper, both semidiscrete and completely discrete finite volume
element methods (FVEMs) are analyzed for approximating solutions of a class of
linear hyperbolic integro- differential equations in a two-dimensional convex
polygonal domain. The effect of numerical quadrature is also examined. In the
semidiscrete case, optimal error estimates in L^{\infty}(L2) and
L^{\infty}(H1)- norms are shown to hold with minimal regularity assumptions on
the initial data, whereas quasi-optimal estimate in derived in
L^{\infty}(L^{\infty})-norm under higher regularity on the data. Based on a
second order explicit method in time, a completely discrete scheme is examined
and optimal error estimates are established with a mild condition on the space
and time discretizing parameters. Finally, some numerical experiments are
conducted which confirm the theoretical order of convergence.


title: Moduli Spaces of Contact Instantons

abstract:
  We construct the moduli space of contact instantons, an analogue of
Yang-Mills instantons defined for contact metric $5$-manifolds and initiate the
study of their structure. In the $K$-contact case we give sufficient conditions
for smoothness of the moduli space away from reducible connections and show the
dimension is given by the index of an operator elliptic transverse to the Reeb
foliation. The moduli spaces are shown to be K\"ahler when the $5$-manifold $M$
is Sasakian and hyperK\"ahler when $M$ is transverse Calabi-Yau. We show how
the transverse index can be computed in various cases, in particular we compute
the index for the toric Sasaki-Einstein spaces $Y^{p,q}$.


title: The starred Dixmier conjecture for $A_1$

abstract:
  Let $A_1(K)=K \langle x,y | yx-xy= 1 \rangle$ be the first Weyl algebra over
a characteristic zero field $K$ and let $\alpha$ be the exchange involution on
$A_1(K)$ given by $\alpha(x)= y$ and $\alpha(y)= x$. The Dixmier conjecture of
Dixmier (1968) asks: Is every algebra endomorphism of the Weyl algebra $A_1(K)$
an automorphism? The aim of this paper is to prove that each
$\alpha$-endomorphism of $A_1(K)$ is an automorphism. Here an
$\alpha$-endomorphism of $A_1(K)$ is an endomorphism which preserves the
involution $\alpha$. We also prove an analogue result for the Jacobian
conjecture in dimension 2, called $\alpha-JC_2$.


title: Nonarchimedean superrigidity of solvable S-arithmetic groups

abstract:
  Let Gamma be an S-arithmetic subgroup of a solvable algebraic group G over an
algebraic number field F, such that the finite set S contains at least one
place that is nonarchimedean. We construct a certain group H, such that if L is
any local field and alpha is any homomorphism from Gamma to GL(n,L), then alpha
virtually extends (modulo a bounded error) to a continuous homomorphism defined
on some finite-index subgroup of H. In the special case where F is the field of
rational numbers, the real-rank of G is 0, and Gamma is Zariski-dense in G, we
may let H = G_S.
  We also point out a generalization that does not require G to be solvable.


title: Fully Online Grammar Compression in Constant Space

abstract:
  We present novel variants of fully online LCA (FOLCA), a fully online grammar
compression that builds a straight line program (SLP) and directly encodes it
into a succinct representation in an online manner. FOLCA enables a direct
encoding of an SLP into a succinct representation that is asymptotically
equivalent to an information theoretic lower bound for representing an SLP
(Maruyama et al., SPIRE'13). The compression of FOLCA takes linear time
proportional to the length of an input text and its working space depends only
on the size of the SLP, which enables us to apply FOLCA to large-scale
repetitive texts. Recent repetitive texts, however, include some noise. For
example, current sequencing technology has significant error rates, which
embeds noise into genome sequences. For such noisy repetitive texts, FOLCA
working in the SLP size consumes a large amount of memory. We present two
variants of FOLCA working in constant space by leveraging the idea behind
stream mining techniques. Experiments using 100 human genomes corresponding to
about 300GB from the 1000 human genomes project revealed the applicability of
our method to large-scale, noisy repetitive texts.


title:
The Dirichlet problem for the generalized bi-axially symmetric Helmholtz
  equation

abstract:
  In [18], fundamental solutions for the generalized bi-axially symmetric
Helmholtz equation were constructed in $R_2^ + = \left\{ {\left( {x,y}
\right):x > 0,y > 0} \right\}.$ They contain Kummer's confluent hypergeometric
functions in three variables. In this paper, using one of the constructed
fundamental solutions, the Dirichlet problem is solved in the domain $\Omega
\subset R_2^ +.$ Using the method of Green's functions, solution of this
problem is found in an explicit form.


title: Graphene on Hexagonal Boron Nitride

abstract:
  The field of graphene research has developed rapidly since its first
isolation by mechanical exfoliation in 2004. Due to the relativistic Dirac
nature of its charge carriers, graphene is both a promising material for
next-generation electronic devices and a convenient low-energy testbed for
intrinsically high-energy physical phenomena. Both of these research branches
require the facile fabrication of clean graphene devices so as not to obscure
its intrinsic physical properties. Hexagonal boron nitride has emerged as a
promising substrate for graphene devices, as it is insulating, atomically flat
and provides a clean charge environment for the graphene. Additionally, the
interaction between graphene and boron nitride provides a path for the study of
new physical phenomena not present in bare graphene devices. This review
focuses on recent advancements in the study of graphene on hexagonal boron
nitride devices from the perspective of scanning tunneling microscopy with
highlights of some important results from electrical transport measurements.


title: Diffusion Models for Double-ended Queues with Renewal Arrival Processes

abstract:
  We study a double-ended queue where buyers and sellers arrive to conduct
trades. When there is a pair of buyer and seller in the system, they
immediately transact a trade and leave. Thus there cannot be non-zero number of
buyers and sellers simultaneously in the system. We assume that sellers and
buyers arrive at the system according to independent renewal processes, and
they would leave the system after independent exponential patience times. We
establish fluid and diffusion approximations for the queue length process under
a suitable asymptotic regime. The fluid limit is the solution of an ordinary
differential equation, and the diffusion limit is a time-inhomogeneous
asymmetric Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process (O-U process). A heavy traffic analysis
is also developed, and the diffusion limit in the stronger heavy traffic regime
is a time-homogeneous asymmetric O-U process. The limiting distributions of
both diffusion limits are obtained. We also show the interchange of the heavy
traffic and steady state limits.


title: Derived Koszul Duality and Topological Hochschild Homology

abstract:
  Motivated by a result from string topology, we prove a duality in topological
Hochschild homology (THH). The duality relates the THH of an E_1-algebra
spectrum and the THH of its derived Koszul dual algebra under certain
compactness conditions. The result relies on results about module categories
which may be of interest on their own. Finally, we relate this result to
topological field theories and outline some future work.


title: Solving Cubic Equations By the Quadratic Formula

abstract:
  Let $p(z)$ be a monic cubic complex polynomial with distinct roots and
distinct critical points. We say a critical point has the {\it Voronoi
property} if it lies in the Voronoi cell of a root $\theta$, $V(\theta)$, i.e.
the set of points that are closer to $\theta$ than to the other roots. We prove
at least one critical point has the Voronoi property and characterize the cases
when both satisfy this property. It is known that for any $\xi \in V(\theta)$,
the sequence $B_m(\xi) =\xi - p(\xi) d_{m-2}/d_{m-1}$ converges to $\theta$,
where $d_m$ satisfies the recurrence $d_m =p'(\xi)d_{m-1}-0.5
p(\xi)p''(\xi)d_{m-2} +p^2(\xi)d_{m-3}$, $d_0 =1, d_{-1}=d_{-2}=0$. Thus by the
Voronoi property, there is a solution $c$ of $p'(z)=0$ where $B_m(c)$ converges
to a root of $p(z)$. The speed of convergence is dependent on the ratio of the
distances between $c$ and the closest and the second closest roots of $p(z)$.
This results in a different algorithm for solving a cubic equation than the
classical methods. We give polynomiography for an example.


title: On Finite $J$-Hermitian Quantum Mechanics

abstract:
  In his recent paper arXiv:1312.7738, the author discussed $J$-Hermitian
quantum mechanics and showed that $PT$-symmetric quantum mechanics is
essentially $J$-Hermitian quantum mechanics. In this paper, the author
discusses finite $J$-Hermitian quantum mechanics which is derived naturally
from its continuum one and its relationship with finite $PT$-symmetric quantum
mechanics.


title:
Superconvergence of Local Discontinuous Galerkin method for
  one-dimensional linear parabolic equations

abstract:
  In this paper, we study superconvergence properties of the local
discontinuous Galerkin method for one-dimensional linear parabolic equations
when alternating fluxes are used. We prove, for any polynomial degree $k$, that
the numerical fluxes converge at a rate of $2k+1$ (or $2k+1/2$) for all mesh
nodes and the domain average under some suitable initial discretization.
  We further prove a $k+1$th superconvergence rate for the derivative
approximation and a $k+2$th superconvergence rate for the function value
approximation at the Radau points.
  Numerical experiments demonstrate that in most cases, our error estimates are
optimal, i.e., the error bounds are sharp.


title:
Signal recovery using expectation consistent approximation for linear
  observations

abstract:
  A signal recovery scheme is developed for linear observation systems based on
expectation consistent (EC) mean field approximation. Approximate message
passing (AMP) is known to be consistent with the results obtained using the
replica theory, which is supposed to be exact in the large system limit, when
each entry of the observation matrix is independently generated from an
identical distribution. However, this is not necessarily the case for general
matrices. We show that EC recovery exhibits consistency with the replica theory
for a wider class of random observation matrices. This is numerically confirmed
by experiments for the Bayesian optimal signal recovery of compressed sensing
using random row-orthogonal matrices.


title: Inferring mode inertias in evolved solar-like stars

abstract:
  Asteroseismology of evolved solar-like stars is experiencing a growing
interest due to the wealth of observational data from space-borne instruments
such as the \emph{CoRoT} and \emph{Kepler} spacecraft. In particular, the
recent detection of mixed modes, which probe both the innermost and uppermost
layers of stars, paves the way for inferring the internal structure of stars
along their evolution through the subgiant and red giant phases. Mixed modes
can also place stringent constraints on the physics of such stars and on their
global properties (mass, age, etc...). Here, using two \emph{Kepler} stars (KIC
4351319 and KIC 6442183), we demonstrate that measurements of mixed mode
characteristics allow us to estimate the mode inertias, providing a new and
additional diagnostics on the mode trapping and subsequently on the internal
structure of evolved stars. We however stress that the accuracy may be
sensitive to non-adiabatic effects.


title: Stability of superfluid 3He-B in compressed aerogel

abstract:
  In recent work it was shown that new anisotropic p-wave states of superfluid
3He can be stabilized within high porosity silica aerogel under uniform
positive strain [1]. In contrast, the equilibrium phase in an unstrained
aerogel, is the isotropic superfluid B-phase [2]. Here we report that this
phase stability depends on the sign of the strain. For negative strain of ~20%
achieved by compression, the B-phase can be made more stable than the
anisotropic A-phase resulting in a tricritical point for A, B, and normal
phases with a critical field of ~100 mT. From pulsed NMR measurements we
identify these phases and the orientation of the angular momentum.


title: Bounds for eigenforms on arithmetic hyperbolic 3-manifolds

abstract:
  On a family of arithmetic hyperbolic 3-manifolds of squarefree level, we
prove an upper bound for the sup-norm of Hecke-Maass cusp forms, with a power
saving over the local geometric bound simultaneously in the Laplacian
eigenvalue and the volume. By a novel combination of diophantine and geometric
arguments in a noncommutative setting, we obtain bounds as strong as the best
corresponding results on arithmetic surfaces.


title: Identifying Benefits and risks associated with utilizing cloud computing

abstract:
  Cloud computing is an emerging computing model where IT and computing
operations are delivered as services in highly scalable and cost effective
manner. Recently, embarking this new model in business has become popular.
Companies in diverse sectors intend to leverage cloud computing architecture,
platforms and applications in order to gain higher competitive advantages.
Likewise other models, cloud computing brought advantages to attract business
but meanwhile fostering cloud has led to some risks, which can cause major
impacts if business does not plan for mitigation. This paper surveys the
advantages of cloud computing and in contrast the risks associated using them.
Finally we conclude that a well-defined risk management program that focused on
cloud computing is an essential part of gaining value from benefits of cloud
computing.


title: Harmony Search Algorithm for Curriculum-Based Course Timetabling Problem

abstract:
  In this paper, harmony search algorithm is applied to curriculum-based course
timetabling. The implementation, specifically the process of improvisation
consists of memory consideration, random consideration and pitch adjustment. In
memory consideration, the value of the course number for new solution was
selected from all other course number located in the same column of the Harmony
Memory. This research used the highest occurrence of the course number to be
scheduled in a new harmony. The remaining courses that have not been scheduled
by memory consideration will go through random consideration, i.e. will select
any feasible location available to be scheduled in the new harmony solution.
Each course scheduled out of memory consideration is examined as to whether it
should be pitch adjusted with probability of eight procedures. However, the
algorithm produced results that were not comparatively better than those
previously known as best solution. With proper modification in terms of the
approach in this algorithm would make the algorithm perform better on
curriculum-based course timetabling.


title: Skill Analysis with Time Series Image Data

abstract:
  We present a skill analysis with time series image data using data mining
methods, focused on table tennis. We do not use body model, but use only
hi-speed movies, from which time series data are obtained and analyzed using
data mining methods such as C4.5 and so on. We identify internal models for
technical skills as evaluation skillfulness for the forehand stroke of table
tennis, and discuss mono and meta-functional skills for improving skills.


title:
Weak solutions of the cohomological equation on R^2 for regular vector
  fields

abstract:
  In a recent article, we studied the global solvability of the so-called
cohomological equation L_X f=g in C^\infty(\Rt), where X is a regular vector
field on the plane and L_X the corresponding Lie derivative. In a joint article
with T. Gramchev and A. Kirilov, we studied the existence of global L^1_{loc}
weak solutions of the cohomological equation for vector fields depending only
on one coordinate. Here we generalize the results of both articles by providing
explicit conditions for the existence of global weak solutions to the
cohomological equation when X is intrinsically Hamiltonian or of finite type.


title: Light axigluon and single top production at the LHC

abstract:
  The light axigluon model can explain the Tevatron $t\overline{t}$
forward-backward asymmetry and at the same time satisfy the constraints from
the electroweak precision measurement and the $ATLAS$ and $CMS$ data, which
induces the flavor changing ($FC$) couplings of axigluon with the $SM$ and new
quarks. We investigate the effects of these $FC$ couplings on the s- and
t-channel single top productions at the $LHC$ and the $FC$ decays $Z\rightarrow
\overline{b}s+b\overline{s}$, $t\rightarrow c\gamma$ and $cg$. Our numerical
results show that the light axigluon can give significantly contributions to
single top production and the rare top decays $t\rightarrow c\gamma$ and $cg$.


title:
Early-phase photometry and spectroscopy of transitional Type Ia SN
  2012ht: Direct constraint on the rise time

abstract:
  We report photometric and spectroscopic observations of the nearby Type Ia
Supernova (SN Ia) 2012ht from $-15.8$ days to $+49.1$ days after $B$-band
maximum. The decline rate of the light curve is $\Delta
m_{15}$($B$)$=1.39~\pm~0.05$ mag, which is intermediate between normal and
subluminous SNe Ia, and similar to that of the `transitional' Type Ia SN
2004eo.
  The spectral line profiles also closely resemble those of SN 2004eo. We were
able to observe SN 2012ht at very early phase, when it was still rising and was
about three magnitudes fainter than at the peak. The rise time to the $B$-band
maximum is estimated to be $17.6 \pm 0.5$ days and the time of the explosion is
MJD $56277.98 \pm 0.13$. SN 2012ht is the first transitional SN Ia whose rise
time is directly measured without using light curve templates, and the fifth SN
Ia overall. This rise time is consistent with those of the other four SNe
within the measurement error, even including the extremely early detection of
SN 2013dy. The rising part of the light curve can be fitted by a quadratic
function, and shows no sign of a shock-heating component due to the interaction
of the ejecta with a companion star. The rise time is significantly longer than
that inferred for subluminous SNe such as SN 1991bg, which suggests that a
progenitor and/or explosion mechanism of transitional SNe Ia are more similar
to normal SNe Ia rather than subluminous SNe Ia.


title:
Development of a novel scintillation-trigger detector for the MTV
  experiment using aluminum-metallized film tapes

abstract:
  A new type of a trigger-scintillation counter array designed for the MTV
experiment at TRIUMF-ISAC has been developed, which uses aluminum-metallized
film tape for wrapping to achieve the required assembling precision of $\pm$0.5
mm. The MTV experiment uses a cylindrical drift chamber (CDC) as the main
electron-tracking detector. The barrel-type trigger counter is placed inside
the CDC to generate a trigger signal using 1 mm thick, 300 mm long thin plastic
scintillation counters. Detection efficiency and light attenuation compared
with conventional wrapping materials are studied.


title:
A Simple Software Application for Simulating Commercially Available
  Solar Panels

abstract:
  This article addresses the formulation and validation of a simple PC based
software application developed for simulating commercially available solar
panels. The important feature of this application is its capability to produce
speedy results in the form of solar panel output characteristics at given
environmental conditions by using minimal input data. Besides, it is able to
deliver critical information about the maximum power point of the panel at a
given environmental condition in quick succession. The application is based on
a standard equation which governs solar panels and works by means of estimating
unknown parameters in the equation to fit a given solar panel. The process of
parameter estimation is described in detail with the aid of equations and data
of a commercial solar panel. A validation of obtained results for commercial
solar panels is also presented by comparing the panel manufacturers' results
with the results generated by the application. In addition, implications of the
obtained results are discussed along with possible improvements to the
developed software application.


title:
Multi-hop Energy-efficient Control for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor
  Networks Using Fuzzy Logic

abstract:
  Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) have severe energy constraints imposed by
limited capacity of the internal battery of sensor nodes. These restrictions
stimulate the development of energy-efficient strategies aimed at increasing
the period of stability and lifetime of these networks. In this paper, we
propose a centralized control to elect more appropriate Cluster Heads, assuming
three levels of heterogeneity and multi-hop communication between Cluster
Heads. The centralized control uses the k-means algorithm, responsible for the
division of clusters and Fuzzy Logic to elect the Cluster Head and selecting
the best route of communication. The study results indicate that the proposed
approach can increase the period of stability and lifetime in WSN.


title: Metric Dimension of Amalgamation of Regular Graphs

abstract:
  A set of vertices $S$ resolves a graph $G$ if every vertex is uniquely
determined by its vector of distances to the vertices in $S$. The metric
dimension of $G$ is the minimum cardinality of a resolving set of $G$.
  Let $\{G_1, G_2, \ldots, G_n\}$ be a finite collection of graphs and each
$G_i$ has a fixed vertex $v_{0_i}$ or a fixed edge $e_{0_i}$ called a terminal
vertex or edge, respectively. The vertex-amalgamation of $G_1, G_2, \ldots,
G_n$, denoted by $Vertex-Amal\{G_i;v_{0_i}\}$, is formed by taking all the
$G_i$'s and identifying their terminal vertices. Similarly, the
edge-amalgamation of $G_1, G_2, \ldots, G_n$, denoted by
$Edge-Amal\{G_i;e_{0_i}\}$, is formed by taking all the $G_i$'s and identifying
their terminal edges.
  Here we study the metric dimensions of vertex-amalgamation and
edge-amalgamation for finite collection of regular graphs: complete graphs and
prisms.


title:
A Genetic Algorithm based Approach for Test Data Generation in Basis
  Path Testing

abstract:
  Software Testing is a process to identify the quality and reliability of
software, which can be achieved through the help of proper test data. However,
doing this manually is a difficult task due to the presence of number of
predicate nodes in the module. So, this leads towards a problem of NP-complete.
Therefore some intelligence-based search algorithms have to be used to generate
test data. In this paper, we use a soft computing based approach, genetic
algorithm to generate test data based on the set of basis paths. This paper
combines the characteristics of genetic algorithm with test data, making use of
the merits of respective global and local optimization capability to improve
the generation capacity of test data. This automated process of generating test
data optimally helps in reducing the test effort and time of a tester. Finally,
the proposed approach is applied for ATM withdrawal task. Experimental results
show that genetic algorithm was able to generate suitable test data based on a
fitness value and avoid redundant data by optimization.


title:
Mutual estimates for the dyadic Reverse H\"{o}lder and Muckenhoupt
  constants for the dyadically doubling weights

abstract:
  Muckenhoupt and Reverse H\"{o}lder classes of weights play an important role
in harmonic analysis, PDE's and quasiconformal mappings. In 1974 Coifman and
Fefferman showed that a weight belongs to a Muckenhoupt class $A_p$ for some
$1<p<\infty$ if and only if it belongs to a Reverse H\"{o}lder class $RH_q$ for
some $1<q<\infty$. In 2009 Vasyunin found the exact dependence between $p$, $q$
and the corresponding characteristic of the weight using the Bellman function
method. The result of Coifman and Fefferman works for the dyadic classes of
weights under an additional assumption that the weights are dyadically
doubling. We extend the Vasyunin's result to the dyadic Reverse H\"{o}lder and
Muckenhoupt classes and obtain the dependence between $p$, $q$, the doubling
constant and the corresponding characteristic of the weight. More precisely,
given a dyadically doubling weight in $RH_p^d$ on a given dyadic interval $I$,
we find an upper estimate on the average of the function $w^{q}$ over the
interval $I$. From the bound on this average we can conclude, for example, that
$w$ belongs to the corresponding $A_{s_1}^d$ class or that $w^p$ is in
$A_{s_2}^d$ for some values of $s_i$. We obtain our results using the method of
Bellman functions.


title: A new proof of a theorem of Petersen

abstract:
  Let $M$ be an $n$-dimensional complete Riemannian manifold with Ricci
curvature $\ge n-1$. In \cite{colding1, colding2}, Tobias Colding, by
developing some new techniques, proved that the following three condtions: 1)
$d_{GH}(M, S^n)\to 0$; 2) the volume of $M$
${\text{Vol}}(M)\to{\text{Vol}}(S^n)$; 3) the radius of $M$
${\text{rad}}(M)\to\pi$ are equivalent. In \cite{peter}, Peter Petersen, by
developing a different technique, gave the 4-th equivalent condition, namely he
proved that the $n+1$-th eigenvalue of $M$ $\lambda_{n+1}(M)\to n$ is also
equivalent to the radius of $M$ ${\text{rad}}(M)\to\pi$, and hence the other
two. In this note, we give a new proof of Petersen's theorem by utilizing
Colding's techniques.


title: Distributed Storage Schemes over Unidirectional Ring Networks

abstract:
  In this paper, we study distributed storage problems over unidirectional ring
networks. A lower bound on the reconstructing bandwidth to recover total
original data for each user is proposed, and it is achievable for arbitrary
parameters. If a distributed storage scheme can achieve this lower bound with
equality for each user, we say it an optimal reconstructing distributed storage
scheme (ORDSS). Furthermore, the repair problem for a failed storage node in
ORDSSes is under consideration and a tight lower bound on the repair bandwidth
for each storage node is obtained. Particularly, we indicate the fact that for
any ORDSS, every storage node can be repaired with repair bandwidth achieving
the lower bound with equality. In addition, we present an efficient approach to
construct ORDSSes for arbitrary parameters by using the concept of Euclidean
division. Finally, we take an example to characterize the above approach.