title: Geometric constructions on cycles in $\rr^n$

abstract:
  In Lie sphere geometry, a cycle in $\RR^n$ is either a point or an oriented
sphere or plane of codimension $1$, and it is represented by a point on a
projective surface $\Omega\subset \PP^{n+2}$. The Lie product, a bilinear form
on the space of homogeneous coordinates $\RR^{n+3}$, provides an algebraic
description of geometric properties of cycles and their mutual position in
$\RR^n$. In this paper we discuss geometric objects which correspond to the
intersection of $\Omega$ with projective subspaces of $\PP^{n+2}$. Examples of
such objects are spheres and planes of codimension $2$ or more, cones and tori.
The algebraic framework which Lie geometry provides gives rise to simple and
efficient computation of invariants of these objects, their properties and
their mutual position in $\RR^n$.


title:
Design and Simulation of Symmetric Nanostructures Using Two-Beam
  Modulated Interference Lithography Technique

abstract:
  Laser Interference Lithography (LIL) is a versatile fabrication method for
patterning sub-micron structures in arrays covering large areas. It is a facile
and fast mask-less lithography process to produce large area periodic patterns.
The objective in this study is to simulate and design periodic and
quasi-periodic 1D, 2D and 3D nanostructures using two-beam interference
technique. We designed and simulated periodic and quasi-periodic structures by
two-beam interference patterning using a MATLAB program by varying angle of
incidence, wavelength and geometry. The generated patterns/features depend on
the interference intensity, wavelength, slit separation and angle of incidence.
Using this technique, we can achieve potentially high-volume of uniformity,
throughput, process control, and repeatability. By varying different input
parameters, we have optimized simulated patterns with controlled periodicity,
density and aspect ratio also it can be programmed to obtain images of
interference results showing interference intensity distributions.


title:
Teichm\"uller space of negatively curved metrics on Gromov Thurston
  Manifolds is not contractible

abstract:
  In this paper we prove that for all $n=4k-2$, $k\ge2$ there exists closed
$n$-dimensional Riemannian manifolds $M$ with negative sectional curvature that
do not have the homotopy type of a locally symmetric space, such that
$\pi_{1}(\mathcal{T}^{<0}(M))$ is non-trivial. $\mathcal{T}^{<0}(M)$ denotes
the Teichm\"uller space of all negatively curved Riemannian metrics on $M$,
which is the topological quotient of the space of all negatively curved metrics
modulo the space of self-diffeomorphisms of $M$ that are homotopic to the
identity. Gromov Thurston branched cover manifolds provide examples of
negatively curved manifolds that do not have the homotopy type of a locally
symmetric space. These manifolds will be used in this paper to prove the above
stated result.


title:
Non-autonomous bright matter wave solitons in spinor Bose-Einstein
  condensates

abstract:
  We investigate the dynamics of bright matter wave solitons in spin-1
Bose-Einstein condensates with time modulated nonlinearities. We obtain soliton
solutions of an integrable autonomous three-coupled Gross-Pitaevskii (3-GP)
equations using Hirota's method involving a non-standard bilinearization. The
similarity transformations are developed to construct the soliton solutions of
non-autonomous 3-GP system. The non-autonomous solitons admit different density
profiles. An interesting phenomenon of soliton compression is identified for
kink-like nonlinearity coefficient with Hermite-Gaussian-like potential
strength. Our study shows that these non-autonomous solitons undergo
non-trivial collisions involving condensate switching.


title: Transfer excitation reactions in fast proton-helium collisions

abstract:
  Continuing previous work, we have measured the projectile scattering-angle
dependency for transfer excitation of fast protons (300-1200 keV/u) colliding
with helium (p+He $\rightarrow$ H + He$^{+ *}$). Our high-resolution fully
differential data are accompanied by calculations, performed in the plane wave
first Born approximation and the eikonal wave Born approximation.
Experimentally we find a deep minimum in the differential cross section around
0.5 $mrad$. The comparison with our calculations shows that describing the
scattering angle dependence of transfer exitation in fast collisions requires
to go beyond the first Born approximation and in addition to use initial state
wave function, which contains some degree of angular correlations.


title:
The order book as a queueing system: average depth and influence of the
  size of limit orders

abstract:
  We study the analytical properties of a one-side order book model in which
the flows of limit and market orders are Poisson processes and the distribution
of lifetimes of cancelled orders is exponential. Although simplistic, the model
provides an analytical tractability that should not be overlooked. Using basic
results for birth-and-death processes, we build an analytical formula for the
shape (depth) of a continuous order book model which is both founded by market
mechanisms and very close to empirically tested formulas. We relate this shape
to the probability of execution of a limit order, highlighting a law of
conservation of the flows of orders in an order book. We then extend our model
by allowing random sizes of limit orders, hereby allowing to study the
relationship between the size of the incoming limit orders and the shape of the
order book. Our theoretical model shows that, for a given total volume of
incoming limit orders, the less limit orders are submitted (i.e. the larger the
average size of these limit orders), the deeper is the order book around the
spread. This theoretical relationship is finally empirically tested on several
stocks traded on the Paris stock exchange.


title:
Cosmic variance limited Baryon Acoustic Oscillations from the DEUS-FUR
  $\Lambda$CDM simulation

abstract:
  We investigate the non-linear evolution of Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO)
in the low-redshift matter power spectrum from the DEUS-FUR $\Lambda$CDM model
simulation. This is the first cosmological N-body simulation encompassing the
full observable cosmic volume, thus allowing cosmic variance limited
predictions at BAO scales. We control the effect of numerical systematic errors
using a series of large volume high-resolution simulations. The combined
analysis allows us to measure the matter power spectrum between $z=0$ and $1$
to 1% over the entire BAO range, $0.03<k [\textrm{h Mpc}^{-1}]<0.3$, in bins of
size $\Delta k/k\lesssim$ 1%. We define the BAO with respect to a non-linearly
evolved wiggle-free spectrum and determine the characteristics of the BAO
without recurring to extrapolation from global fitting functions. We quantify
the effects of non-linearities on the position and amplitude of the BAO
extrema, and the coupling to the broadband slope of the power spectrum. We use
these estimates to test non-linear predictions from semi-analytical models.
Quite remarkably from the analysis of the redshift evolution of BAO we find
that the second dip and third peak remains unaltered by non-linear effects.
Furthermore, we find that the square of the damping factor and the shift of the
position of BAO extrema scale to good approximation as the square of the growth
factor, in agreement with expectations from perturbation theory. This confirms
the idea that, besides cosmic distances, an accurate measurement of BAO at
different redshifts can directly probe the growth of cosmic structures.


title: Scalable Data Cube Analysis over Big Data

abstract:
  Data cubes are widely used as a powerful tool to provide multidimensional
views in data warehousing and On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP). However,
with increasing data sizes, it is becoming computationally expensive to perform
data cube analysis. The problem is exacerbated by the demand of supporting more
complicated aggregate functions (e.g. CORRELATION, Statistical Analysis) as
well as supporting frequent view updates in data cubes. This calls for new
scalable and efficient data cube analysis systems. In this paper, we introduce
HaCube, an extension of MapReduce, designed for efficient parallel data cube
analysis on large-scale data by taking advantages from both MapReduce (in terms
of scalability) and parallel DBMS (in terms of efficiency). We also provide a
general data cube materialization algorithm which is able to facilitate the
features in MapReduce-like systems towards an efficient data cube computation.
Furthermore, we demonstrate how HaCube supports view maintenance through either
incremental computation (e.g. used for SUM or COUNT) or recomputation (e.g.
used for MEDIAN or CORRELATION). We implement HaCube by extending Hadoop and
evaluate it based on the TPC-D benchmark over billions of tuples on a cluster
with over 320 cores. The experimental results demonstrate the efficiency,
scalability and practicality of HaCube for cube analysis over a large amount of
data in a distributed environment.


title: New chiral lattice actions of the Borici-Creutz type

abstract:
  We generalize the Borici-Creutz action in such a way that the position of the
second zero and the direction which breaks the hypercubic symmetry can be
arbitrarily chosen, and the action has still the correct continuum limit.
Minimal doubling is guaranteed if the distance between the two zeros does not
become too large. Special values of this distance could turn out to be
particularly convenient for efficient numerical simulations of minimally
doubled fermions.


title:
Tracing the origin of a scientific legend by Reference Publication Year
  Spectroscopy (RPYS): the legend of the Darwin finches

abstract:
  In a previews paper we introduced the quantitative method named Reference
Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS). With this method one can determine the
historical roots of research fields and quantify their impact on current
research. RPYS is based on the analysis of the frequency with which references
are cited in the publications of a specific research field in terms of the
publication years of these cited references. In this study, we illustrate that
RPYS can also be used to reveal the origin of scientific legends. We selected
Darwin finches as an example for illustration. Charles Darwin, the originator
of evolutionary theory, was given credit for finches he did not see and for
observations and insights about the finches he never made. We have shown that a
book published in 1947 is the most-highly cited early reference cited within
the relevant literature. This book had already been revealed as the origin of
the term Darwin finches by Sulloway through careful historical analysis.


title: Copositive Criteria and Boundedness of the Scalar Potential

abstract:
  To understand physics beyond the Standard Model (SM) it is important to have
the precise knowledge of Higgs boson and top quark masses as well as strong
coupling. Recently discovered new boson which is likely to be the SM Higgs with
mass 123-127 GeV has a submissive impact on the stability of the new physics
beyond standard model (BSM). The beyond standard model scenarios that include
many scalar fields posses scalar potential with many quartic couplings. Due to
the complicated structures of such scalar potentials it is indeed difficult to
adjudge the stability of the vacuum. Thus one needs to formulate a proper
prescription for computing the vacuum stability criteria. In this paper we have
used the idea of copositive matrices to deduce the conditions that guarantee
the boundedness of the scalar potential. We have discussed the basic idea
behind the copositivity and then used that to determine the vacuum stability
criteria for the Left-Right symmetric models with doublet, and triplet scalars
and Type-II seesaw. As this idea is based on the strong mathematical arguments
it helps to compute simple and unique stability criteria embracing the maximum
allowed parameter space.


title:
A law of order estimation and leading-order terms for a family of
  averaged quantities on a multibaker chain system

abstract:
  In this study a family of local quantities defined on each partition and its
averaging on a macroscopic small region, site, are defined on a multibaker
chain system. On its averaged quantities, a law of order estimation (LOE) in
the bulk system is proved, making it possible to estimate the order of the
quantities with respect to the representative partition scale parameter
$\Delta$. Moreover, the form of the leading-order terms of the averaged
quantities is obtained, and the form enables us to have the macroscopic
quantity in the continuum limit, as $\Delta\rightarrow0$, and to confirm its
partitioning independency. These deliverables fully explain the numerical
results obtained by Ishida, consistent with the irreversible thermodynamics.


title: A model structure on the category of diffeological spaces

abstract:
  We construct a model category structure on the category of diffeological
spaces which is Quillen equivalent to the model structure on the category of
topological spaces based on the notions of Serre fibrations and weak homotopy
equivalences.


title:
Equivalences of 5-dimensional CR manifolds (II): General classes I, II,
  III-1, III-2, IV-1, IV-2

abstract:
  For later use in subsequent upcoming arxiv.org prepublications, basic
foundational material on local, smooth or real analytic, CR-generic
submanifolds of complex Euclidean spaces is developed from scratch, with strong
emphasis on the interplay between extrinsic and intrinsic aspects, a
constructive option that commands to perform computational syntheses in
coordinates. Mainly, one finds a self-contained proof of the existence of
precisely six general classes: I, II, III-1, III-2, IV-1, IV-2 of nondegenerate
general CR manifolds up to dimension 5, class III-2 being unobserved untill
now.


title:
Full-Heusler Co2FeSi alloy thin films with perpendicular magnetic
  anisotropy induced by MgO-interface

abstract:
  The authors demonstrated that L21-ordered full-Heusler Co2FeSi (CFS) alloy
film with thickness of 100 nm were formed by facing targets sputtering (FTS)
method at a substrate temperature TS = 300 deg C. Degrees of L21- and B2- order
for the film were 0.37, and 0.96, respectively. Furthermore, full-Heusler CFS
alloy thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) induced by
MgO-interface magnetic anisotropy were successfully formed by the FTS method.
The CFS/MgO stacking layers showed PMA when dCFS was 0.6 nm <= dCFS <= 1.0 nm.
The PMA in these structures resulted from the CFS/MgO interfacial perpendicular
magnetic anisotropy.


title:
Surfaces isogenous to a product of curves, braid groups and mapping
  class groups

abstract:
  This article is a revised version of the talk I gave at the conference
``Beauville Surfaces and groups'' held in Newcastle in June 2012. It presents
some group theoretical methods to give bounds on the number of connected
components of the moduli space of surfaces of general type, focusing on some
families of regular surfaces isogenous to a product of curves.


title: On the classification of surfaces of general type with $p_g=q=2$

abstract:
  The paper is an extended version of the talk which I gave at the XIX
Congresso dell'UMI in Bologna in September 2011. The aim of this paper is
twofold: first, to give an overview on the recent development in the
classification of surfaces of general type with $p_g=q=2$; second, to point out
some of the problems that are still open.


title:
Cosmic Separation of Phases: the microsecond universe and the neutron
  star

abstract:
  It is entirely plausible under reasonable condition, that a first order QCD
phase transition occurred from quarks to hadrons when the universe was about a
microsecond old. Relics, if there be any, after the quark hadron phase
transition are the most deciding signatures of the phase transition. It is
shown in this paper that the quark nuggets, possible relics of first order QCD
phase transitions with baryon number larger than $10^{43}$ will survive the
entire history of the universe uptil now and can be considered as candidates
for the cold dark matter. The spin down core of the neutron star on the high
density low temperature end of the phase diagramme initiates transition from
hadrons to quarks. As the star spins down, the size of the core goes on
increasing. Recently discovered massive Pulsar PSRJ 1614-2230 with a mass of
1.97$\pm$0.04 $M_{\odot}$ most likely has a strongly interacting quark core.
What possible observables can there be from these neutron stars?


title:
Conductance in the Helimagnet- and Skyrmion-Lattice-Embedded Electron
  Waveguide

abstract:
  The helimagnet (HM) and skyrmion lattice (SL) are topologically nontrivial
magnetic states. Their spin texture gives rise to finite topological magnetic
field and Lorentz force. As a demonstration of the emergent electrodynamics
besides the Hall effect, the transmission of electrons within a waveguide (WG)
embedded with a HM/SL layer is shaped by the topological spin texture. In this
work, we investigated the conductance properties in the HM/SL-film-embedded
electron WG and found that under translation of the HM/SL layer the conductance
contour as a function of the layer center demonstrates nearly identical pattern
to the original spin field contour. When an electron transports in the WG, the
topological magnetic field generalized by the HM/SL spin texture exerts on it
and distorts the wavefunction shape in the x-y plane. By interference between
different quantum paths the electron experiences, the HM/SL spin texture is
recorded in the conductance. The scheme also provides a possible detect of the
HM/SL spin configuration by transport experiment.


title: Hereditary properties of co-K\"ahler manifolds

abstract:
  We show how certain topological properties of co-K{\"a}hler manifolds derive
from those of the K\"ahler manifolds which construct them. We go beyond Betti
number results and describe the cohomology algebra structure of co-K\"ahler
manifolds. As a consequence, we prove that co-K\"ahler manifolds satisfy the
Toral Rank Conjecture: $\dim(H^*(M;\mathbb{Q})) \geq 2^r$, for any $r$-torus
$T^r$ which acts almost freely on $M$.


title:
On the origin of the featureless soft X-ray excess emission from the
  Seyfert 1 galaxy ESO~198--G24

abstract:
  We present medium and high resolution X-ray spectral study of a Seyfert 1
galaxy ESO~198--G24 using a long (122 ks) XMM-Newton observation performed in
February 2006. The source has a prominent featureless soft X-ray excess below
$2\kev$. This makes the source well suited to investigate the origin of the
soft excess. Two physical models -- blurred reflection, and optically thick
thermal Comptonization in a warm plasma, describe the soft-excess equally well
resulting in similar fits in the $0.3-10\kev$ band. These models also yield
similar fits to the broad-band UV (Optical Monitor) and X-ray data. XMM-Newton
observations performed in 2000, 2001 and 2006 on this source show flux
variability. From 2001 to 2006, the UV flux increased by $\sim23\%$ while the
$2-10\kev$ X-ray flux as well as the soft-excess flux decreased by ~ 20. This
observation can be described in the blurred reflection scenario by a truncated
accretion disk whose inner-most radius had come closer to the blackhole. We
find that the best-fit inner radius of the accretion disk decreases from
R_{in}=4.93_{-1.10}^{+1.12}R_G to R_{in}<2.5R_G from 2001 to 2006. This leads
to an increase in the UV flux and compressing the corona, leading to reduction
of the powerlaw flux and therefore the soft-excess. The blurred reflection
model seems to better describe the soft-excess for this source.


title:
Criticality estimation of IT business functions with the Business
  Continuity Testing Points method for implementing effective recovery
  exercises of crisis scenarios

abstract:
  The primary goal of the present paper is the introduction of a new approach
of defining IT unit business functions exact criticality levels and
respectively categorize them to the appropriate recovery tests, prior to their
thorough documentation which includes actual desired recovery time frames. The
method is entitled as Business Continuity Testing Points and it is based on the
concept of Use Case Points, a fundamental project estimation tool utilized for
sizing of object-oriented system development. The aim of the contribution is to
ameliorate the existing manual way of determining recovery time of IT business
functions that is based exclusively on experience of IT personnel, by
introducing a calculation method of multiple factors that can negatively affect
the recovery process. The elimination of damage as a result of tested immediate
response action in a crisis situation that disrupts core IT operations
constitutes the aimed advantage of the proposed contribution


title:
Electronic and Transport Properties of Molecular Junctions under a
  Finite Bias: A Dual Mean Field Approach

abstract:
  We show that when a molecular junction is under an external bias, its
properties can not be uniquely determined by the total electron density in the
same manner as the density functional theory (DFT) for ground state (GS)
properties. In order to correctly incorporate bias-induced nonequilibrium
effects, we present a dual mean field (DMF) approach. The key idea is that the
total electron density together with the density of current-carrying electrons
are sufficient to determine the properties of the system. Two mean fields, one
for current-carrying electrons and the other one for equilibrium electrons can
then be derived.By generalizing the Thomas-Fermi-Dirac (TFD) model to
non-equilibrium cases, we analytically derived the DMF exchange energy density
functional. We implemented the DMF approach into the computational package
SIESTA to study non-equilibrium electron transport through molecular junctions.
Calculations for a graphene nanoribbon (GNR) junction show that compared with
the commonly used \textit{ab initio} transport theory, the DMF approach could
significantly reduce the electric current at low biases due to the
non-equilibrium corrections to the mean field potential in the scattering
region.


title: Almost collapse mass quantization in 2D Smoluchowski-Poisson equation

abstract:
  We study Smoluchowski-Poisson equation in two space dimensions provided with
Dirichlet boundary condition for the Poisson part. For this equation several
profiles of blowup solution have been noticed. Here we show collapse mass
quantization with possible vanishing term.


title:
Uniform Electron Gas under An External Bias: The Generalized
  Thomas-Fermi-Dirac Model and the Dual-Mean-Field Theory

abstract:
  The uniform electron gas placed between two reservoirs is used as a model
system for molecular junctions under an external bias. The energetics of the
electron gas are calculated by generalizing the Thomas-Fermi-Dirac (TFD) model
to nonequilibrium cases. We show that when the bias voltage is not zero, the
first Hohenberg-Kohn (HK) theorem breaks down, and energies of the electron gas
can be determined by the total electron density together with the density of
nonequilibrium electrons, supporting the dual-mean-field (DMF) theory recently
proposed by us [J. Chem. Phys. 139, (2013) 191103]. The generalization of TFD
functionals to DMF ones is also discussed.


title: Sensing and Recognition When Primary User Has Multiple Power Levels

abstract:
  In this paper, we present a new cognitive radio (CR) scenario when the
primary user (PU) operates under more than one transmit power levels. Different
from the existing studies where PU is assumed to have only one constant
transmit power, the new consideration well matches the practical standards,
i.e., IEEE 802.11 Series, GSM, LTE, LTE-A, etc., as well as the adaptive power
concept that has been studied over the past decades. The primary target in this
new CR scenario is, of course, still to detect the presence of PU. However,
there appears a secondary target as to identify the PU's transmit power level.
Compared to the existing works where the secondary user (SU) only senses the
``on-off'' status of PU, recognizing the power level of PU achieves more
``cognition", and could be utilized to protect different powered PU with
different interference levels. We derived quite many closed-form results for
either the threshold expressions or the performance analysis, from which many
interesting points and discussions are raised. We then further study the
cooperative sensing strategy in this new cognitive scenario and show its
significant difference from traditional algorithms. Numerical examples are
provided to corroborate the proposed studies.


title:
Reversible magnetism switching in graphene-based systems via the
  decoration of photochromic molecules

abstract:
  By first principles calculations, we demonstrate that when decorated with
photochromic molecules, it is possible to use light to reversibly control the
magnetic properties of a nanoscale magnetic system. The combination of a
graphene-based magnetic system and a photochromic azobenzene molecule is chosen
as a model system. The {\it trans} and {\it cis} isomers of the azobenzene
molecule that can be converted between each other by means of photoexcitations
are found to have drastically different effects on the magnetic properties of
the system. The results may pave the way for the future design of light
controllable molecular-scale spintronic devices.


title:
Massless Dirac Fermions in Graphene under an External Periodic Magnetic
  Field

abstract:
  By solving two-component spinor equation for massless Dirac Fermions, we show
that graphene under a periodic external magnetic field exhibits a unique energy
spectrum: At low energies, Dirac Fermions are localized inside the magnetic
region with discrete Landau energy levels, while at higher energies, Dirac
Fermions are mainly found in non-magnetic regions with continuous energy bands
originating from wavefunctions analogous to particle-in-box states of
electrons. These findings offer a new methodology for the control and tuning of
massless Dirac Fermions in graphene.


title: Three types of polynomials related to q-oscillator algebra

abstract:
  This work addresses a full characterization of three new q-polynomials
derived from the $q-$oscillator algebra. Related matrix elements and generating
functions are deduced. Further, a connection between Hahn factorial and
q-Gaussian polynomials is established.


title: Data Challenges in High-Performance Risk Analytics

abstract:
  Risk Analytics is important to quantify, manage and analyse risks from the
manufacturing to the financial setting. In this paper, the data challenges in
the three stages of the high-performance risk analytics pipeline, namely risk
modelling, portfolio risk management and dynamic financial analysis is
presented.


title:
High Performance Risk Aggregation: Addressing the Data Processing
  Challenge the Hadoop MapReduce Way

abstract:
  Monte Carlo simulations employed for the analysis of portfolios of
catastrophic risk process large volumes of data. Often times these simulations
are not performed in real-time scenarios as they are slow and consume large
data. Such simulations can benefit from a framework that exploits parallelism
for addressing the computational challenge and facilitates a distributed file
system for addressing the data challenge. To this end, the Apache Hadoop
framework is chosen for the simulation reported in this paper so that the
computational challenge can be tackled using the MapReduce model and the data
challenge can be addressed using the Hadoop Distributed File System. A parallel
algorithm for the analysis of aggregate risk is proposed and implemented using
the MapReduce model in this paper. An evaluation of the performance of the
algorithm indicates that the Hadoop MapReduce model offers a framework for
processing large data in aggregate risk analysis. A simulation of aggregate
risk employing 100,000 trials with 1000 catastrophic events per trial on a
typical exposure set and contract structure is performed on multiple worker
nodes in less than 6 minutes. The result indicates the scope and feasibility of
MapReduce for tackling the computational and data challenge in the analysis of
aggregate risk for real-time use.


title: Hadron production measurement from NA61/SHINE

abstract:
  New results from the NA61/SHINE experiment on the determination of charged
hadron yields in proton-carbon interactions are presented. They aim to improve
predictions of the neutrino flux in the T2K experiment. The analysis is based
on the main dataset collected by NA61/SHINE in the year 2009. The data were
recorded using a secondary-proton beam of 31 GeV/$c$ momentum from CERN SPS
which impinges on a graphite target. To determine the inclusive production
cross section for charged pions, kaons and protons a thin target was exploited.
Results of this measurement are used in the T2K beam simulation program to
reweight hadron yields at the interaction vertex. At the same time, NA61/SHINE
results obtained with the T2K replica target allow to constrain hadron yields
at the surface of the target. This allows to constrain up to 90% of the
neutrino flux, thus reducing significantly the model dependence of the neutrino
beam prediction. All measured spectra are compared to predictions of hadron
production models.


title:
Analysis and interpretation of 15 quarters of Kepler data of the
  disintegrating planet KIC 12557548 b

abstract:
  The Kepler object KIC 12557548 shows irregular eclipsing behaviour with a
constant 15.685 hr period, but strongly varying transit depth. In this paper we
fit individual eclipses, in addition to fitting binned light curves, to learn
more about the process underlying the eclipse depth variation. Additionally, we
put forward observational constraints that any model of this planet-star system
will have to match. We find two quiescent spells of ~30 orbital periods each
where the transit depth is <0.1%, followed by relatively deep transits.
Additionally, we find periods of on-off behaviour where >0.5% deep transits are
followed by apparently no transit at all. Apart from these isolated events we
find neither significant correlation between consecutive transit depths nor a
correlation between transit depth and stellar intensity. We find a three-sigma
upper limit for the secondary eclipse of 4.9*10^-5, consistent with a planet
candidate with a radius of less than 4600 km. Using the short cadence data we
find that a 1-D exponential dust tail model is insufficient to explain the
data. We improved our model to a 2-D, two-component dust model with an opaque
core and an exponential tail. Using this model we fit individual eclipses
observed in short cadence mode. We find an improved fit of the data,
quantifying earlier suggestions by Budaj (2013) of the necessity of at least
two components. We find that deep transits have most absorption in the tail,
and not in a disk-shaped, opaque coma, but the transit depth and the total
absorption show no correlation with the tail length.


title: Detangling Flat Bands into Fano Lattices

abstract:
  Macroscopically degenerate flat bands (FB) in periodic lattices host compact
localized states which appear due to destructive interference and local
symmetry. Interference provides a deep connection between the existence of flat
band states (FBS) and the appearance of Fano resonances for wave propagation.
We introduce generic transformations detangling FBS and dispersive states into
lattices of Fano defects. Inverting the transformation, we generate a continuum
of FB models. Our procedure allows us to systematically treat perturbations
such as disorder and explain the emergence of energy-dependent localization
length scaling in terms of Fano resonances.


title: The Ergodicity of the Collatz Process in Positive Integer Field

abstract:
  The $3x+1$ problem, also called the Collatz conjecture, is a very interesting
unsolved mathematical problem related to computer science. This paper
generalized this problem by relaxing the constraints, i.e., generalizing this
deterministic process to non-deterministic process, and set up three models.
This paper analyzed the ergodicity of these models and proved that the
ergodicity of the Collatz process in positive integer field holds, i.e., all
the positive integers can be transformed to 1 by the iterations of the Collatz
function.


title:
New bounds of degree-based topological indices for some classes of
  $c$-cyclic graphs

abstract:
  Making use of a majorization technique for a suitable class of graphs, we
derive upper and lower bounds for some topological indices depending on the
degree sequence over all vertices, namely the first general Zagreb index and
the first multiplicative Zagreb index. Specifically, after characterizing
$c-$cyclic graphs $(0\leq c\leq 6)$ as those whose degree sequence belongs to
particular subsets of $\mathbb{R}^{n}$, we identify the maximal and minimal
vectors of these subsets with respect to the majorization order. This technique
allows us to determine lower and upper bounds of the above indices recovering
those existing in the literature as well obtaining new ones.


title:
Tests of the Monte Carlo Simulation of the Photon-Tagger Focal-Plane
  Electronics at the MAX IV Laboratory

abstract:
  Rate-dependent effects in the electronics used to instrument the tagger focal
plane at the MAX IV Laboratory were recently investigated using the novel
approach of Monte Carlo simulation to allow for normalization of high-rate
experimental data acquired with single-hit time-to-digital converters (TDCs).
The instrumentation of the tagger focal plane has now been expanded to include
multi-hit TDCs. The agreement between results obtained from data taken using
single-hit and multi-hit TDCs demonstrate a thorough understanding of the
behavior of the detector system.


title:
On the asymptotic Dirichlet problem for the minimal hypersurface
  equation in a Hadamard manifold

abstract:
  We study the Dirichlet problem at infinity on a Cartan-Hadamard manifold for
a large class of operators containing in particular the p-Laplacian and the
minimal graph operator.


title:
Computing the multilinear factors of lacunary polynomials without
  heights

abstract:
  We present a deterministic algorithm which computes the multilinear factors
of multivariate lacunary polynomials over number fields. Its complexity is
polynomial in $\ell^n$ where $\ell$ is the lacunary size of the input
polynomial and $n$ its number of variables, that is in particular polynomial in
the logarithm of its degree. We also provide a randomized algorithm for the
same problem of complexity polynomial in $\ell$ and $n$.
  Over other fields of characteristic zero and finite fields of large
characteristic, our algorithms compute the multilinear factors having at least
three monomials of multivariate polynomials. Lower bounds are provided to
explain the limitations of our algorithm. As a by-product, we also design
polynomial-time deterministic polynomial identity tests for families of
polynomials which were not known to admit any.
  Our results are based on so-called Gap Theorem which reduce high-degree
factorization to repeated low-degree factorizations. While previous algorithms
used Gap Theorems expressed in terms of the heights of the coefficients, our
Gap Theorems only depend on the exponents of the polynomials. This makes our
algorithms more elementary and general, and faster in most cases.


title:
Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay of $^{100}$Mo with the NEMO-3
  Detector

abstract:
  We report the results of a search for the neutrinoless double-$\beta$ decay
(0$\nu\beta\beta$) of $^{100}$Mo, using the NEMO-3 detector to reconstruct the
full topology of the final state events. With an exposure of 34.7 kg.y, no
evidence for the 0$\nu\beta\beta$ signal has been found, yielding a limit for
the light Majorana neutrino mass mechanism of $T_{1/2}(0\nu\beta\beta)>1.1
\times 10^{24}$ years (90% C.L.) once both statistical and systematic
uncertainties are taken into account. Depending on the Nuclear Matrix Elements
this corresponds to an upper limit on the Majorana effective neutrino mass of
$< m_{\nu} > < 0.3-0.9$ eV (90% C.L.). Constraints on other lepton number
violating mechanisms of 0$\nu\beta\beta$ decays are also given. Searching for
high-energy double electron events in all suitable sources of the detector, no
event in the energy region [3.2-10] MeV is observed for an exposure of 47 kg.y.


title: Striking a balance with Recon 2.1

abstract:
  Recon 2 is a highly curated reconstruction of the human metabolic network.
Whilst the network is state of the art, it has shortcomings, including the
presence of unbalanced reactions involving generic metabolites. By replacing
these generic molecules with each of their specific instances, we can ensure
full elemental balancing, in turn allowing constraint-based analyses to be
performed. The resultant model, called Recon 2.1, is an order of magnitude
larger than the original.


title: Limit shapes for growing extreme characters of $U(\infty)$

abstract:
  We prove the existence of a limit shape and give its explicit description for
certain probability distribution on signatures (or highest weights for unitary
groups). The distributions have representation theoretic origin-they encode
decomposition on irreducible characters of the restrictions of certain extreme
characters of the infinite-dimensional unitary group $U(\infty)$ to growing
finite-dimensional unitary subgroups $U(N)$. The characters of $U(\infty)$ are
allowed to depend on $N$. In a special case, this describes the hydrodynamic
behavior for a family of random growth models in $(2+1)$-dimensions with varied
initial conditions.


title: Quantum hoop conjecture: Black hole formation by particle collisions

abstract:
  We address the issue of (quantum) black hole formation by particle collision
in quantum physics. We start by constructing the horizon wave-function for
quantum mechanical states representing two highly boosted non-interacting
particles that collide in flat one-dimensional space. From this wave-function,
we then derive a probability that the system becomes a black hole as a function
of the initial momenta and spatial separation between the particles. This
probability allows us to extend the hoop conjecture to quantum mechanics and
estimate corrections to its classical counterpart.


title: Computational inference beyond Kingman's coalescent

abstract:
  Full likelihood inference under Kingman's coalescent is a computationally
challenging problem to which importance sampling (IS) and the product of
approximate conditionals (PAC) method have been applied successfully. Both
methods can be expressed in terms of families of intractable conditional
sampling distributions (CSDs), and rely on principled approximations for
accurate inference. Recently, more general $\Lambda$- and $\Xi$-coalescents
have been observed to provide better modelling fits to some genetic data sets.
We derive families of approximate CSDs for finite sites $\Lambda$- and
$\Xi$-coalescents, and use them to obtain "approximately optimal" IS and PAC
algorithms for $\Lambda$-coalescents, yielding substantial gains in efficiency
over existing methods.


title: Superlensing using complementary media

abstract:
  This paper studies magnifying superlens using complementary media.
Superlensing using complementary media was suggested by Veselago in [16] and
innovated by Nicorovici et al. in [9] and Pendry in [10]. The study of this
problem is difficult due to two facts. Firstly, this problem is unstable since
the equations describing the phenomena have sign changing coefficients; hence
the ellipticity is lost. Secondly, the phenomena associated are localized
resonant, i.e., the field explodes in some regions and remains bounded in some
others. This makes the problem difficult to analyse. In this paper, we develop
the technique of removing of localized singularity introduced in [6] and make
use of the reflecting technique in [5] to overcome these two difficulties. More
precisely, we suggest a class of lenses which has root from [9] and [14] and
inspired from [6] and give a proof of superlensing for this class. To our
knowledge, this is the first rigorous proof on the magnification of an
arbitrary inhomogeneous object using complementary media.


title:
Mn-doped Thiolated Au$_{25}$ Nanoclusters: Atomic Configuration,
  Magnetic Properties, and A Possible High-performance Spin Filter

abstract:
  We report an \emph{ab inito} investigation on the ground-state atomic
configuration, electronic structures, magnetic and spin-dependent transport
properties of Mn-doped Au$_{25}$ nanoclusters protected by thiolate. It is
found that the most stable dopant sites are near surfaces, rather than the
center positions of the nanoparticles. Transport calculations show that
high-performance spin filters can be achieved by sandwiching these doped
clusters between two nonmagnetic Au electrodes. The nearly perfect spin
filtering originates from localized magnetic moments of these clusters that are
well protected by ligands from the presence of electrodes.


title:
Generalized discord, entanglement, Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering, and
  Bell nonlocality in two-qubit systems under (non-)Markovian channels:
  Hierarchy of quantum resources and chronology of deaths and births

abstract:
  Generalized quantum discord $(D_q)$, Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering $(S)$,
entanglement $(E)$, and Bell nonlocality ($N$), are logically distinct
quantifiers of quantum correlations. All these measures capture nonclassical
aspects of quantum states and play some role as resources in quantum
information processing. In this work, we look for the hierarchy satisfied by
these quantum correlation witnesses for a class of two-qubit states. We show
that $N \triangleright S\triangleright E\triangleright D_q$, meaning that
nonlocality implies steering, which in turn implies entanglement, which then
implies $q$-discord. For the quantum states under concern, we show that the
invariance of this hierarchy under noisy quantum channels directly implies a
death chronology. Additionally, we have found that sudden death of all quantum
resources except discord is absent only for a subset of states of measure zero.
At last, we provide an illustration of another consequence of the
aforementioned hierarchy, namely, the existence of a sudden birth chronology
under non-Markovian channels.


title: The Effect of LHC Jet Data on MSTW PDFs

abstract:
  We consider the effect on LHC jet cross sections on partons distribution
functions (PDFs), in particular the MSTW2008 set of PDFs. We first compare the
published inclusive jet data to the predictions using MSTW2008, finding a very
good description. We also use the parton distribution reweighting procedure to
estimate the impact of these new data on the PDFs, finding that the combined
ATLAS 2.76 TeV and 7 TeV data, and CMS 7 TeV data have some significant impact.
We then also investigate the impact of ATLAS, CMS and D0 dijet data using the
same techniques. In this case we investigate the effect of using different
scale choices for the NLO cross section calculation. We find that the dijet
data is generally not completely compatible with the corresponding inclusive
jet data, often tending to pull PDFs, particularly the gluon distribution, away
from the default values. However, the effect depends on the dijet data set used
as well as the scale choice. We also note that conclusions may be affected by
limiting the pull on the data luminosity chosen by the best fit, which is
sometimes a number of standard deviations. Finally we include the inclusive jet
data in a new PDF fit explicitly. This enables us to check the consistency of
the exact result with that obtained from the reweighting procedure. There is
generally good, but not full quantitative agreement. Hence, the conclusion
remains that MSTW2008 PDFs already fit the published jet data well, but the
central values and uncertainties are altered and improved respectively by
significant, but not dramatic extent by inclusion of these data.


title:
Band gap engineering in graphene and hexagonal BN antidot lattices: A
  first principles study

abstract:
  Effects of antidot lattices on electronic structures of graphene and
hexagonal BN (h-BN) are investigated using the first principles method based on
density functional theory. For graphene, we find that when the antidot lattice
is along the zigzag direction, the band gap opening can be related to the
inter-valley scattering, and does not follow the simple scaling rule previously
proposed in literature for the antidot lattice along the armchair direction.
For h-BN, our calculations show that the antidot lattice results in reducing of
band gaps. Coupled with doping of carbon atoms, the band gap of an h-BN antidot
lattice can be reduced to below 2 eV, which might have implications in
light-emitting devices or photoelectrochemistry.


title:
The 2-torsion in the second homology of the genus $3$ mapping class
  group

abstract:
  This work is NOT to be used as reference. First, because as
C.F.~B\"odigheimer and M.~Korkmaz pointed to us the computation of the
$\mathbf{Z}_2$ factor that remained undecided in M.~Korkmaz and A. Stipsicz,
{\em The second homology groups of mapping class groups of orientable
surfaces.} Math. Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc., was shown to exist by Skasai, see hi
Theorem 4.9 and Corollary 4.10 in {\em Lagrangian mapping class groups from a
group homological point of view.} Algebr. Geom. Topol. 12 (2012), no. 1,
267--291. Second, because one could obtain this result by gathering old results
in the literature, first by noticing as Korkmaz kindly reminded me, that
D.~Johnson, in \emph{Homeomorphisms of a surface which act trivially on
homology} Porc. AMS Volume 75, Number 1, 1979. proved that the quotient of the
Torelli group $\mathcal{T}_g/[\mathcal{T}_g,\mathcal{M}_g]$ is trivial for
$g\geq 3$, the five term exact sequence then implies that the $\mathbf{Z}_2$
factor in Stein's computation of $H_2(Sp(6,\mathbf{Z});\mathbf{Z}) =
\mathbf{Z}\oplus\mathbf{Z}_2$ (see his {\em The Schur Multipliers of
$Sp_6(\mathbf{Z}), Spin_8(\mathbf{Z}), Spin_7(\mathbf{Z}),$ and
$F_4(\mathbf{Z})$.} Math. Ann. 215 (1975), 173--193. ), detects the undecided
$\mathbf{Z}_2$ factor in $H_2(\mathbf{M}_3;\mathbf{Z})$.


title:
Use of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis to investigate the
  distribution of trace elements among subsamples of solid materials

abstract:
  The results of analytical measurements performed with solid-sampling
techniques are affected by the distribution of the analytes within the matrix.
The effect becomes significant in case of determination of trace elements in
small subsamples. In this framework we propose a measurement model based on
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis to determine the relative variability
of the amount of an analyte among subsamples of a material. The measurement
uncertainty is evaluated and includes the counting statistics, the full-energy
gamma peak efficiency and the spatial gradient of the neutron flux at the
irradiation position. The data we obtained in a neutron activation experiment
and showing the relative variability of As, Au, Ir, Sb and W among subsamples
of a highly pure Rh foil are also presented.


title: Coulomb gauge on the lattice: From zero to finite temperature

abstract:
  Our previous studies of Coulomb gauge Yang-Mills theory are extended to
finite temperature. We investigate the SU(2) static gluon and ghost propagators
and show results for the Coulomb potential, with a focus on the Gribov
ambiguity. To compute these quantities at high temperatures and to solve
scaling violations we use the anisotropic Wilson gauge action.


title: Diffuse $\gamma$-ray emission from unresolved BL Lac objects

abstract:
  Blazars represent the most abundant class of high-energy extragalactic
$\gamma$-ray sources. The subset of blazars known as BL Lac objects is on
average closer to Earth and characterized by harder spectra at high energy than
the whole sample. The fraction of BL Lacs that is too dim to be detected and
resolved by current $\gamma$-ray telescopes is therefore expected to contribute
to the high-energy isotropic diffuse $\gamma$-ray background (IGRB). The IGRB
has been recently measured over a wide energy range by the Large Area Telescope
(LAT) on board the Gamma-ray Space Telescope ({\it Fermi}). We present a new
prediction of the diffuse $\gamma$-ray flux due to the unresolved BL Lac blazar
population. The model is built upon the spectral energy distribution and the
luminosity function derived from the fraction of BL Lacs detected (and
spectrally characterized) in the $\gamma$-ray energy range. We focus our
attention on the ${\cal O}(100)$ GeV energy range, predicting the emission up
to the TeV scale and taking into account the absorption on the extragalactic
background light. In order to better shape the BL Lac spectral energy
distribution, we combine the {\it Fermi}-LAT data with Imaging Atmospheric
Cerenkov Telescopes measurements of the most energetic sources. Our analysis is
carried on separately for low- and intermediate-synchrotron-peaked BL Lacs on
one hand, and high-synchrotron-peaked BL Lacs on the other one: we find in fact
statistically different features for the two. The diffuse emission from the sum
of both BL Lac classes increases from about 10$\%$ of the measured IGRB at 100
MeV to $\sim$100$\%$ of the data level at 100 GeV. At energies greater than 100
GeV, our predictions naturally explain the IGRB data, accommodating their
softening with increasing energy. Uncertainties are estimated to be within of a
factor of two of the best-fit flux up to 500 GeV.


title:
Discovery of Sub- to Superluminal Motions in the M87 Jet: An Implication
  of the Acceleration from Sub-relativistic to Relativistic Speeds

abstract:
  The velocity field of the M87 jet from milli-arcsecond (mas) to arcsecond
scales is extensively investigated together with new radio images taken by EVN
observations. We detected proper motions of components located at between 160
mas from the core and the HST-1 complex for the first time. Newly derived
velocity fields exhibits a systematic increase from sub-to-superluminal speed
in the upstream of HST-1. If we assume that the observed velocities reflect the
bulk flow, we here suggest that the M87 jet may be gradually accelerated
through a distance of 10^6 times of the Schwarzschild radius of the
supermassive black hole. The acceleration zone is co-spatial with the jet
parabolic region, which is interpreted as the collimation zone of the jet
(Asada & Nakamura 2012). The acceleration and collimation take place
simultaneously, which we suggest a characteristic of magnetohydrodynamic flows.
Distribution of the velocity field has a peak at HST-1, which is considered as
the site of over-collimation, and shows a deceleration downstream of HST-1
where the jet is conical. Our interpretation of the velocity map in the M87 jet
gives a hypothesis in AGNs that the acceleration and collimation zone of
relativistic jets extends over the whole scale within the sphere of influence
of the supermassive black hole.


title:
Goal-oriented sensitivity analysis for lattice kinetic Monte Carlo
  simulations

abstract:
  In this paper we propose a new class of coupling methods for the sensitivity
analysis of high dimensional stochastic systems and in particular for lattice
Kinetic Monte Carlo. Sensitivity analysis for stochastic systems is typically
based on approximating continuous derivatives with respect to model parameters
by the mean value of samples from a finite difference scheme. Instead of using
independent samples the proposed algorithm reduces the variance of the
estimator by developing a strongly correlated-"coupled"- stochastic process for
both the perturbed and unperturbed stochastic processes, defined in a common
state space. The novelty of our construction is that the new coupled process
depends on the targeted observables, e.g. coverage, Hamiltonian, spatial
correlations, surface roughness, etc., hence we refer to the proposed method as
em goal-oriented sensitivity analysis. In particular, the rates of the coupled
Continuous Time Markov Chain are obtained as solutions to a goal-oriented
optimization problem, depending on the observable of interest, by considering
the minimization functional of the corresponding variance. We show that this
functional can be used as a diagnostic tool for the design and evaluation of
different classes of couplings. Furthermore the resulting KMC sensitivity
algorithm has an easy implementation that is based on the Bortz-Kalos-Lebowitz
algorithm's philosophy, where here events are divided in classes depending on
level sets of the observable of interest. Finally, we demonstrate in several
examples including adsorption, desorption and diffusion Kinetic Monte Carlo
that for the same confidence interval and observable, the proposed
goal-oriented algorithm can be two orders of magnitude faster than existing
coupling algorithms for spatial KMC such as the Common Random Number approach.


title: Observations of VHE gamma-ray binaries with the MAGIC Telescopes

abstract:
  Several binary systems, composed of a star and a compact object, have been
detected in the GeV-TeV range. Several systems have been observed but only a
handful of sources have shown emission at those energies. Here, we present the
observations conducted by MAGIC of different {\gamma}-ray binary systems. On
one hand, we show the latest studies on the binary system LS I +61 303, which
displays variability on different timescales. With the latest MAGIC
observations, we will try to shed light on our understanding of this source, by
presenting super-orbital and multi-wavelength studies. On the other hand, we
show the observational results on the binary system HD 215227. This source has
been proposed as a new {\gamma}-ray binary for being spatially coincident with
the gamma-ray source AGL J2241+4454 detected by AGILE at E >100 GeV.


title:
Planck scale physics and topology change through an exactly solvable
  model

abstract:
  We consider the collapse of a charged radiation fluid in a Planck-suppressed
quadratic extension of General Relativity (GR) formulated \`{a} la Palatini. We
obtain exact analytical solutions that extend the charged Vaidya-type solution
of GR, which allows to explore in detail new physics at the Planck scale.
Starting from Minkowski space, we find that the collapsing fluid generates
wormholes supported by the electric field. We discuss the relevance of our
findings in relation to the quantum foam structure of space-time and the
meaning of curvature divergences in this theory.


title: Forbidding intersection patterns between layers of the cube

abstract:
  A family ${\mathcal A} \subset {\mathcal P} [n]$ is said to be an antichain
if $A \not \subset B$ for all distinct $A,B \in {\mathcal A}$. A classic result
of Sperner shows that such families satisfy $|{\mathcal A}| \leq \binom
{n}{\lfloor n/2\rfloor}$, which is easily seen to be best possible. One can
view the antichain condition as a restriction on the intersection sizes between
sets in different layers of ${\mathcal P} [n]$. More generally one can ask,
given a collection of intersection restrictions between the layers, how large
can families respecting these restrictions be? Answering a question of Kalai,
we show that for most collections of such restrictions, layered families are
asymptotically largest. This extends results of Leader and the author.


title:
Relaxation of two coupled quantum oscillators to quasi-equilibrium
  states based on path integrals

abstract:
  The paper addresses the problem of relaxation of open quantum systems. Using
the path integral methods we found an analytical expression for time-dependent
density matrix of two coupled quantum oscillators interacting with different
baths of oscillators. The expression for density matrix was found in the linear
regime with respect to the coupling constant between selected oscillators.
Time-dependent spatial variances and covariance were investigated analytically
and numerically. It was shown that asymptotic variances in the long-time limit
are always in accordance with the fluctuation dissipation theorem despite on
their initial values. In the weak coupling approach there is good reason to
believe that subsystems asymptotically in equilibrium at their own temperatures
even despite of the arbitrary difference in temperatures within the whole
system.


title: Th\'eor\`eme de Chebotarev effectif

abstract:
  Let K be a number field, and L be a finite normal extension of K with Galois
group G. It is known that the number of Frobenius automorphisms corresponding
to prime ideals, whose norms are less than x, is equivalent to the logarithmic
integral as x tends to infinity, and these automorphisms are well-distributed
among the conjugacy classes of G : this is the Chebotarev theorem. The purpose
of this paper is to compute the absolute constants of the error term appearing
in a previous work about this theorem, due to Lagarias and Odlyzko.


title:
Energy-gap Opening and Quenching in Graphene under Periodic External
  Potentials

abstract:
  In this paper, we investigated the effects of periodic external potentials on
properties of charge carriers in graphene using both the first-principles
method based on density functional theory (DFT) and a theoretical approach
based on a generalized effective spinor Hamiltonian. DFT calculations were done
in a modified Kohn-Sham procedure that includes effects of the periodic
external potential. Unexpected energy band gap opening and quenching were
predicted for the graphene superlattice with two symmetrical sublattices and
those with two unsymmetrical sublattices, respectively. Theoretical analysis
based on the spinor Hamiltonian showed that the correlations between
pseudospins of Dirac fermions in graphene and the applied external potential,
and the potential-induced intervalley scattering, play important roles in
energy-gap opening and quenching.


title: Accelerated gradient methods for the X-ray imaging of solar flares

abstract:
  In this paper we present new optimization strategies for the reconstruction
of X-ray images of solar flares by means of the data collected by the Reuven
Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). The imaging concept of
the satellite is based of rotating modulation collimator instruments, which
allow the use of both Fourier imaging approaches and reconstruction techniques
based on the straightforward inversion of the modulated count profiles.
Although in the last decade a greater attention has been devoted to the former
strategies due to their very limited computational cost, here we consider the
latter model and investigate the effectiveness of different accelerated
gradient methods for the solution of the corresponding constrained minimization
problem. Moreover, regularization is introduced through either an early
stopping of the iterative procedure, or a Tikhonov term added to the
discrepancy function, by means of a discrepancy principle accounting for the
Poisson nature of the noise affecting the data.


title: On floors and ceilings of the k-Catalan arrangement

abstract:
  The set of dominant regions of the $k$-Catalan arrangement of a
crystallographic root system $\Phi$ is a well-studied object enumerated by the
Fu{\ss}-Catalan number $Cat^{(k)}(\Phi)$. It is natural to refine this
enumeration by considering floors and ceilings of dominant regions. A
conjecture of Armstrong states that counting dominant regions by their number
of floors of a certain height gives the same distribution as counting dominant
regions by their number of ceilings of the same height. We prove this
conjecture using a bijection that provides even more refined enumerative
information.


title: Hadron production measurement from NA61/SHINE

abstract:
  New results of NA61/SHINE on determination of charged hadron yields in
proton-carbon interactions are presented. They aim to improve predictions of
the neutrino flux in the T2K experiment. The data were recorded using a
secondary-proton beam of 31 GeV/$c$ momentum from CERN SPS which impinges on a
graphite target. To determine the inclusive production cross section for
charged pions, kaons and protons the thin ($0.04\, \lambda_I$) target was
exploited. Results of this measurement are used in the T2K beam simulation
program to reweight hadron yields in the interaction vertex. At the same time,
NA61/SHINE results obtained with the T2K replica target ($1.9\, \lambda_I$)
allow to constrain hadron yields at the surface of the target. It would
correspond to the constraint up to 90% of the neutrino flux, thus reducing
significantly a model dependence of the neutrino beam prediction. All measured
spectra are compared to predictions of hadron production models.
  In addition a status of the analysis of data collected by NA61/SHINE for the
NuMI target (Fermilab) is reviewed. These data will be used further in neutrino
beam calculations for the MINERvA, MINOS(+) and LBNE experiments.


title:
Constraints on strongly coupled chameleon fields from the experimental
  test of the weak equivalence principle for the neutron

abstract:
  The chameleon scalar field is considered as a possible cause of accelerated
expansion of the Universe. The chameleon field induces an interaction potential
between a particle and a massive body. Previous experiments with falling cold
neutrons intended to measure the neutron coherent scattering lengths and
verification of the weak equivalence principle for the neutron are used to
constrain the parameters characterizing the strength of the scalar chameleon
fields.


title: Complex Analysis of the Stellar Binary HD25811; A Subgiant System

abstract:
  The visually close binary system HD25811 is analyzed to estimate its physical
and geometrical parameters in addition to its spectral type and luminosity
class. The method depends on obtaining the best fit between the entire
observational spectral energy distribution (SED) of the system and synthetic
SEDs created by atmospheric modeling of the individual components, consistent
with the system's modified orbital elements. The parameters of the individual
components of the system are derived as: $T_{\rm eff}^{\rm a} =6850\pm50$\,K,
$T_{\rm eff}^{\rm b} =7000\pm50$\,K, log $g_{\rm a}=4.04\pm0.10$, log $g_{\rm
b}=4.15\pm0.10$, $R_{\rm a}=1.96\pm0.20$\,R$_{\odot}$, $R_{\rm
b}=1.69\pm0.20$\,R$_{\odot}$, $M_{va}=1.97\pm0.20$, $M_{vb}=2.19\pm0.20$, $L_a=
7.59\pm0.70 L_\odot, L_b= 6.16\pm0.70 L_\odot$ with dynamical parallax
$\pi(\textrm{mas})=5.095\pm 0.095$. The analysis shows that the system consists
of a $1.55M_{\odot}$ F2 primary star and a less evolved $1.50M_{\odot}$ F1
secondary subgiant star with ages around 2 Gy formed by fragmentation.
Synthetic magnitudes of both components were calculated under Johnson-Cousins,
Str\"{o}mgren, and Tycho photometrical systems.


title:
Enhanced surface plasmon polariton propagation induced by active
  dielectrics

abstract:
  We present numerical simulations for the propagation of surface plasmon
polaritons in a dielectric-metal-dielectric waveguide using COMSOL multiphysics
software. We show that the use of an active dielectric with gain that
compensates metal absorption losses enhances substantially plasmon propagation.
Furthermore, the introduction of the active material induces, for a specific
gain value, a root in the imaginary part of the propagation constant leading to
infinite propagation of the surface plasmon. The computational approaches
analyzed in this work can be used to define and tune the optimal conditions for
surface plasmon polariton amplification and propagation.


title: Bonding, Conductance and Magnetization of Oxygenated Au Nanowires

abstract:
  Spin-density-functional calculations of tip-suspended gold chains, with
molecular oxygen, or dissociated oxygen atoms, incorporated in them, reveal
structural transitions for varying lengths. The nanowires exhibit enhanced
strength for both oxygen incorporation modes, and upon stretching tip atoms
join the wire. With incorporated molecular oxygen the wire conductance is about
1(2e2/h), transforming to an insulating state beyond a critical length. The
nanowire conductance with embedded oxygen atoms is low, 0.2 (2e2/h), and it
develops magnetic moments localized on the oxygens and the neighboring Au
atoms.


title:
Coherent electron transport through an azobenzene molecule: A
  light-driven molecular switch

abstract:
  We apply a first-principles computational approach to study a light-sensitive
molecular switch. The molecule that comprises the switch can convert between a
trans and a cis configuration upon photo-excitation. We find that the
conductance of the two isomers vary dramatically, which suggests that this
system has potential application as a molecular device. A detailed analysis of
the band structure of the metal leads and the local density of states of the
system reveals the mechanism of the switch.


title:
Invariance of Quantum Rings under Ordinary Flops II: A quantum
  Leray--Hirsch theorem

abstract:
  This is the second of a sequence of papers proving the quantum invariance for
ordinary flops over an arbitrary smooth base. In this paper, we complete the
proof of the invariance of the big quantum rings under ordinary flops of
splitting type.
  To achieve that, several new ingredients are introduced. One is a quantum
Leray--Hirsch theorem for the local model (a certain toric bundle) which
extends the quantum D module of Dubrovin connection on the base by a
Picard--Fuchs system of the toric fibers.
  Nonsplit flops as well as further applications of the quantum Leray--Hirsch
theorem will be discussed in subsequent papers. In particular, a quantum
splitting principle is developed in Part III which reduces the general ordinary
flops to the split case solved here.


title: On exponential sums over multiplicative subgroups of medium size

abstract:
  In the paper we obtain some new upper bounds for exponential sums over
multiplicative subgroups G of F^*_p having sizes in the range [p^{c_1},
p^{c_2}], where c_1,c_2 are some absolute constants close to 1/2. As an
application we prove that in symmetric case G is always an additive basis of
order five, provided by |G| > p^{1/2} log^{1/3} p. Also the method allows us to
give a new upper bound for Heilbronn's exponential sum.


title: Estimation and approximation in multidimensional dynamics

abstract:
  Differential equations (DEs) are commonly used to describe dynamic systems
evolving in one (ordinary differential equations or ODEs) or in more than one
dimensions (partial differential equations or PDEs). In real data applications
the parameters involved in the DE models are usually unknown and need to be
estimated from the available measurements together with the state function. In
this paper, we present frequentist and Bayesian approaches for the joint
estimation of the parameters and of the state functions involved in PDEs. We
also propose two strategies to include differential (initial and/or boundary)
conditions in the estimation procedure. We evaluate the performances of the
proposed strategy on simulated and real data applications.


title: The Prediction value

abstract:
  We introduce the prediction value (PV) as a measure of players' informational
importance in probabilistic TU games. The latter combine a standard TU game and
a probability distribution over the set of coalitions. Player $i$'s prediction
value equals the difference between the conditional expectations of $v(S)$ when
$i$ cooperates or not. We characterize the prediction value as a special member
of the class of (extended) values which satisfy anonymity, linearity and a
consistency property. Every $n$-player binomial semivalue coincides with the PV
for a particular family of probability distributions over coalitions. The PV
can thus be regarded as a power index in specific cases. Conversely, some
semivalues -- including the Banzhaf but not the Shapley value -- can be
interpreted in terms of informational importance.


title: Complexity of the minimum-time damping of a physical pendulum

abstract:
  We study the minimum-time damping of a physical pendulum by means of a
bounded control. In the similar problem for a linear oscillator each optimal
trajectory possesses a finite number of control switchings from the maximal to
the minimal value. If one considers simultaneously all optimal trajectories
with any initial state, the number of switchings can be arbitrary large. We
show that for the nonlinear pendulum there is a uniform bound for the switching
number for all optimal trajectories. We find asymptotics for this bound as the
control amplitude goes to zero.


title: Quantum Optical State Comparison Amplifier

abstract:
  It is a fundamental principle of quantum theory that an unknown state cannot
be copied or, as a consequence, an unknown optical signal cannot be amplified
deterministically and perfectly. Here we describe a protocol that provides
nondeterministic quantum optical amplification in the coherent state basis with
high gain, high fidelity and which does not use quantum resources. The scheme
is based on two mature quantum optical technologies, coherent state comparison
and photon subtraction. The method compares favourably with all previous
nondeterministic amplifiers in terms of fidelity and success probability.


title:
III-nitride based quantum dots for photon emission with controlled
  polarization switching

abstract:
  Computational studies based on 6 band k$\cdot$p theory are employed on
lens-shaped III-nitride quantum dots (QDs) with focus on the polarization
properties of the optical interband transitions. The results predict pronounced
linear polarization of the ground-state related transitions for asymmetric QDs
of a material with small split-off energy. It is demonstrated that a moderate
externally applied electric field can be used to induce a linear polarization
and to control its direction. InN is found to be the most efficient choice for
dynamic polarization switching controlled by an electric field, with potential
for polarization control on a photon-by-photon level.


title: Magnetic phase transitions and superconductivity in strained FeTe

abstract:
  The influence of hydrostatic pressure and ab-plane strain on the magnetic
structure of FeTe is investigated from first principles. The results of
calculations reveal a phase transition from antiferromagnetic double-stripe
ordering at ambient pressure to ferromagnetic ordering at 2 GPa, or under
compressive strain reducing the lattice parameter a by about 3%. In turn, a
tensile strain of less than 2% induces the phase transition to
antiferromagnetic single-stripe ordering. It corresponds to the superconducting
FeTe thin films, thereby confirming that the superconducting state is
positively linked to single-stripe antiferromagnetic fluctuations. Both types
of transition indicate that the position of Te atoms in the crystal is crucial
for the magnetic and superconducting properties of iron chalcogenides.


title: Survival of Bc mesons in a hot plasma within a potential model

abstract:
  We extend a previous work on the study of heavy charmonia and bottomonia in a
deconfined quark-gluon plasma by considering the Bc family of mesons. With the
introduction of this bound state of a charm and a beauty quark, we investigate
at finite temperature the behavior of the quarkonium, in an energy region
between the {\psi} and the {\Upsilon} states.


title: The ultraluminous GRB 110918A

abstract:
  GRB 110918A is the brightest long GRB detected by Konus-WIND during its 19
years of continuous observations and the most luminous GRB ever observed since
the beginning of the cosmological era in 1997. We report on the final IPN
localization of this event and its detailed multiwavelength study with a number
of space-based instruments. The prompt emission is characterized by a typical
duration, a moderare $E_{peak}$ of the time-integrated spectrum, and strong
hard-to-soft evolution. The high observed energy fluence yields, at z=0.984, a
huge isotropic-equivalent energy release $E_{iso}=(2.1\pm0.1)\times10^{54}$
erg. The record-breaking energy flux observed at the peak of the short, bright,
hard initial pulse results in an unprecedented isotropic-equivalent luminosity
$L_{iso}=(4.7\pm0.2)\times10^{54}$erg s$^{-1}$. A tail of the soft gamma-ray
emission was detected with temporal and spectral behavior typical of that
predicted by the synchrotron forward-shock model. Swift/XRT and Swift/UVOT
observed the bright afterglow from 1.2 to 48 days after the burst and revealed
no evidence of a jet break. The post-break scenario for the afterglow is
preferred from our analysis, with a hard underlying electron spectrum and
ISM-like circumburst environment implied. We conclude that, among multiple
reasons investigated, the tight collimation of the jet must have been a key
ingredient to produce this unusually bright burst. The inferred jet opening
angle of 1.7-3.4 deg results in reasonable values of the collimation-corrected
radiated energy and the peak luminosity, which, however, are still at the top
of their distributions for such tightly collimated events. We estimate a
detection horizon for a similar ultraluminous GRB of $z\sim7.5$ for Konus-WIND,
and $z\sim12$ for Swift/BAT, which stresses the importance of GRBs as probes of
the early Universe.


title:
MEIGO: an open-source software suite based on metaheuristics for global
  optimization in systems biology and bioinformatics

abstract:
  Optimization is key to solve many problems in computational biology. Global
optimization methods provide a robust methodology, and metaheuristics in
particular have proven to be the most efficient methods for many applications.
Despite their utility, there is limited availability of metaheuristic tools. We
present MEIGO, an R and Matlab optimization toolbox (also available in Python
via a wrapper of the R version), that implements metaheuristics capable of
solving diverse problems arising in systems biology and bioinformatics:
enhanced scatter search method (eSS) for continuous nonlinear programming
(cNLP) and mixed-integer programming (MINLP) problems, and variable
neighborhood search (VNS) for Integer Programming (IP) problems. Both methods
can be run on a single-thread or in parallel using a cooperative strategy. The
code is supplied under GPLv3 and is available at
\url{http://www.iim.csic.es/~gingproc/meigo.html}. Documentation and examples
are included. The R package has been submitted to Bioconductor. We evaluate
MEIGO against optimization benchmarks, and illustrate its applicability to a
series of case studies in bioinformatics and systems biology, outperforming
other state-of-the-art methods. MEIGO provides a free, open-source platform for
optimization, that can be applied to multiple domains of systems biology and
bioinformatics. It includes efficient state of the art metaheuristics, and its
open and modular structure allows the addition of further methods.


title: Inequalities via n-times differentiable quasi-convex functions

abstract:
  In this paper, we establish some integral ineuqalities for n- times
differentiable quasi-convex functions.


title: The visually close binary system HD375; Is it a sub-giant binary?

abstract:
  Atmospheric modeling is used to build synthetic spectral energy distributions
(SEDs) for the individual components of the speckle interferometric binary
system HD375. These synthetic SEDs are combined together for the entire system
and compared with its observational SED in an iterated procedure to achieve the
best fit. Kurucz blanketed models with the measurements of magnitude
differences were used to build these SED's. The input physical elements for
building these best fitted synthetic SEDs represent adequately enough the
elements of the system. These elements are: $T_{\rm eff}^{a} =6100\pm50$\,K,
$T_{\rm eff}^{b} =5940\pm50$\,K, log $g_{a}=4.01\pm0.10$, log
$g_{b}=3.98\pm0.10$, $R_a=1.93\pm0.20 R_\odot$, $R_b=1.83\pm0.20 R_\odot$
$M_{v}^{\rm a}=3.26\pm0.40$, $M_{v}^{\rm b}=3.51\pm0.50$, $L_a= 4.63\pm0.80
L_\odot$ and $ L_b= 3.74\pm0.70 L_\odot$ depending on new estimated parallax
$\pi=12.02 \pm 0.60$ mas. A modified orbit of the system is built and compared
with earlier orbits and the masses of the two components are calculated as $M_a
=1.35M_{\odot}$ and $M_b=1.25M_{\odot}$. Depending on the estimated physical
and geometrical elements of the system, which are assured by synthetic
photometry, we suggest that the two components are evolved subgiant (F8.5 IV &
G0 IV) stars with age of 3.5 Gy formed by fragmentation.


title:
Search for continuous gravitational waves: Improving robustness versus
  instrumental artifacts

abstract:
  The standard multidetector F-statistic for continuous gravitational waves is
susceptible to false alarms from instrumental artifacts, for example
monochromatic sinusoidal disturbances ('lines'). This vulnerability to line
artifacts arises because the F-statistic compares the signal hypothesis to a
Gaussian-noise hypothesis, and hence is triggered by anything that resembles
the signal hypothesis more than Gaussian noise. Various ad-hoc veto methods to
deal with such line artifacts have been proposed and used in the past. Here we
develop a Bayesian framework that includes an explicit alternative hypothesis
to model disturbed data. We introduce a simple line model that defines lines as
signal candidates appearing only in one detector. This allows us to explicitly
compute the odds between the signal hypothesis and an extended noise
hypothesis, resulting in a new detection statistic that is more robust to
instrumental artifacts. We present and discuss results from Monte-Carlo tests
on both simulated data and on detector data from the fifth LIGO science run. We
find that the line-robust statistic retains the detection power of the standard
F-statistic in Gaussian noise. In the presence of line artifacts it is more
sensitive, even compared to the popular F-statistic consistency veto, over
which it improves by as much as a factor of two in detectable signal strength.


title:
Explicit constructions of Vandermonde sequences using global function
  fields

abstract:
  The authors recently introduced so-called Vandermonde nets. These digital
nets share properties with the well-known polynomial lattices. For example,
both can be constructed via component-by-component search algorithms. A
striking characteristic of the Vandermonde nets is that for fixed $m$ an
explicit construction of $m \times m$ generating matrices over the finite field
$F_q$ is known for dimensions $s \le q+1$. This paper extends this explicit
construction in two directions. We give a maximal extension in terms of $m$ by
introducing a construction algorithm for $\infty \times \infty$ generating
matrices for digital sequences over $F_q$, which works in the rational function
field over $F_q$. Furthermore, we generalize this method to global function
fields of positive genus, which leads to extensions in the dimension $s$.


title:
Distributed Multiscale Computing with MUSCLE 2, the Multiscale Coupling
  Library and Environment

abstract:
  We present the Multiscale Coupling Library and Environment: MUSCLE 2. This
multiscale component-based execution environment has a simple to use Java, C++,
C, Python and Fortran API, compatible with MPI, OpenMP and threading codes. We
demonstrate its local and distributed computing capabilities and compare its
performance to MUSCLE 1, file copy, MPI, MPWide, and GridFTP. The local
throughput of MPI is about two times higher, so very tightly coupled code
should use MPI as a single submodel of MUSCLE 2; the distributed performance of
GridFTP is lower, especially for small messages. We test the performance of a
canal system model with MUSCLE 2, where it introduces an overhead as small as
5% compared to MPI.


title: The commutant of simple modules over almost commutative algebras

abstract:
  Let $B$ be a finitely generated algebra over a field $k$. Then $B$ is called
a Jacobson algebra if every semiprime ideal of $B$ is semiprimitive. We will
discuss several conditions, all involving the commutant of simple $B$-modules,
which imply that $B$ is Jacobson. In particular, we will recover the well-known
result that every finitely generated almost commutative algebra is Jacobson.
The same holds true for $\mathbb{N}$-filtered $k$-algebras $B$ with a locally
finite filtration such that the associated graded $k$-algebra is
left-noetherian.


title: Interaction effects on dynamical localization in driven helium

abstract:
  Dynamical localization prevents driven atomic systems from fast fragmentation
by hampering the excitation process. We present numerical simulations within a
collinear model of microwave-driven helium Rydberg atoms and prove that
dynamical localization survives the impact of electron-electron interaction,
even for doubly excited states in the presence of fast autoionization. We
conclude that the effect of electron-electron repulsion on localization can be
described by an appropriate rescaling of the atomic level density and of the
external field with the strength of the interaction.


title: Frenkel electron and a spinning body in a curved background

abstract:
  We develop a variational formulation of a particle with spin in a curved
space-time background. The model is based on a singular Lagrangian which
provides equations of motion, a fixed value of spin and Frenkel condition on
spin-tensor. Comparing our equations with those of Papapetrou we conclude that
the Frenkel electron in a gravitational field has the same behavior as a
rotating body in the pole-dipole and leading-spin approximation. Due to
constraints presented in the formulation, position space is endowed with a
noncommutative structure induced by the spin of the particle. Therefore, the
model provides a physically interesting example of a noncommutative particle in
a curved background.


title:
Magnetic quantum oscillations in the charge-density-wave state of the
  organic metals $\alpha $-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$MHg(SCN)$_4$ with M = K and Tl

abstract:
  The low-temperature charge-density-wave (CDW) state in the layered organic
metals $\alpha $-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$MHg(SCN)$_4$ has been studied by means of the
Shubnikov -- de Haas and de Haas -- van Alphen effects. In addition to the
dominant alpha-frequency, which is also observed in the normal state, both the
magnetoresistance and magnetic torque possess a slowly oscillating component.
These slow oscillations provide a firm evidence for the CDW-induced
reconstruction of the original cylindrical Fermi surface. The
alpha-oscillations of the interlayer magnetoresistance exhibit an anomalous
phase inversion in the CDW state, whereas the de Haas -- van Alphen signal
maintains the normal phase. We argue that the anomaly may be attributed to the
magnetic-breakdown origin of the alpha-oscillations in the CDW state. A
theoretical model illustrating the possibility of a phase inversion in the
oscillating interlayer conductivity in the presence of a spatially fluctuating
magnetic breakdown gap is proposed.


title: Measurement of production asymmetries

abstract:
  The knowledge of charm production asymmetries is an important prerequisite
for many of the possible searches for CP violation in charm. Measurements of
these asymmetries at hadron colliders can also help to improve our
understanding of QCD. These proceedings review existing measurements and
discuss some of the experimental challenges of determining charge asymmetries
at the per-mille level.


title: Dipole subtraction with random polarisations

abstract:
  In this talk, we discuss the speed-up of numerical calculations of jet
observables by replacing the usual sum over all helicity amplitudes with an
integral over a parametrisation for the parton polarisations called random
polarisations. Random polarisations are a linear combination of helicity
eigenstates multiplied by a phase factor depending on a so-called helicity
angle. Instead of a summation over discrete helicities, random polarisations
require an integration over the helicity angle. By combining this integral with
the final-state phase space integral, we only have to evaluate one squared
amplitude per phase space point instead of $2^n$ helicity amplitudes, where $n$
is the total number of particles in the process. While the technique itself has
been known since 1998, so far there has been no way of using it with dipole
subtraction, which is probably the most-used method for dealing with infrared
divergences in NLO calculations. After giving detailed reasons for this
statement, we propose a solution to this problem in terms of extending the
existing subtraction method by a new term.


title: Spin-orbit splitting of valence subbands in semiconductor nanostructures

abstract:
  We propose the 14-band $\mathbf k \cdot \mathbf p$ model to calculate
spin-orbit splittings of the valence subbands in semiconductor quantum wells.
The reduced symmetry of quantum well interfaces is incorporated by means of
additional terms in the boundary conditions which mix the $\Gamma_{15}$
conduction and valence Bloch functions at the interfaces. It is demonstrated
that the interface-induced effect makes the dominating contribution to the
heavy-hole spin splitting. A simple analytical expression for the interface
contribution is derived. In contrast to the 4$\times$4 effective Hamiltonian
model, where the problem of treating the $V_z k_z^3$ term seems to be
unsolvable, the 14-band model naturally avoids and overcomes this problem. Our
results are in agreement with the recent atomistic calculations [J.-W. Luo et
al., Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 104}, 066405 (2010)].


title:
Prime Decomposition and Non-Commutativity in the Monoid of Long Virtual
  Knots

abstract:
  It is well-known that the monoid of long virtual knots is not commutative.
This contrasts with the case of classical long knots, where $A \# B
\leftrightharpoons B \# A$ for all $A,B$. In the present paper, we present a
new proof that two inequivalent non-classical prime long virtual knots never
commute. The original result is due to Manturov. The techniques used here are
mostly geometric. First, a slightly strengthened version of Kuperberg's theorem
is established. We then show that a well-defined concatenation of two long
knots in a thickened surface is preserved by stabilization when both long knots
are non-classical. Finally, it is proved that if $A,B,C,D$ are prime
non-classical long virtual knots such that $A \# B$ is non-classical and $A \#
B \leftrightharpoons C \# D$, then $A \leftrightharpoons C$ and $B
\leftrightharpoons D$.


title:
On the computation of the third order terms of the series defining the
  center manifold for systems of delay differential equation

abstract:
  When studying a general system of delay differential equation with a single
constant delay, we encounter a certain lack of uniqueness in determining the
coefficient of one of the third order terms of the series defining the center
manifold. We solve this problem by considering a perturbation of the considered
problem, perturbation that allows us to remove the singularity. The result
generalizes a similar result obtained for scalar differential equations (J.
Dyn. Diff. Eqns., 24/2012).


title: Gradient Hard Thresholding Pursuit for Sparsity-Constrained Optimization

abstract:
  Hard Thresholding Pursuit (HTP) is an iterative greedy selection procedure
for finding sparse solutions of underdetermined linear systems. This method has
been shown to have strong theoretical guarantee and impressive numerical
performance. In this paper, we generalize HTP from compressive sensing to a
generic problem setup of sparsity-constrained convex optimization. The proposed
algorithm iterates between a standard gradient descent step and a hard
thresholding step with or without debiasing. We prove that our method enjoys
the strong guarantees analogous to HTP in terms of rate of convergence and
parameter estimation accuracy. Numerical evidences show that our method is
superior to the state-of-the-art greedy selection methods in sparse logistic
regression and sparse precision matrix estimation tasks.


title: XMM-Newton Publication Statistics

abstract:
  We assessed the scientific productivity and data usage statistics of
XMM-Newton by examining 3272 refereed papers published until the end of 2012
that directly use XMM-Newton data. The SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
was accessed for information on each paper including the number of citations.
For each paper, the XMM-Newton observation identifiers and instruments were
determined and used extract detailed information from the XMM-Newton archive on
the parameters of the observations. The information obtained from these sources
was then combined to allow the scientific productivity of the mission to be
assessed. Since three years after the launch, about 300 refereed papers per
year were published that directly use XMM-Newton data. After more than 13 years
in operation, this rate shows no decline. Since 2002, around 100 scientists per
year have become lead authors for the first time. Each refereed XMM-Newton
paper receives around four citations per year in the first few years with a
long-term citation rate of three citations per year, more than five years after
publication. About half of the articles citing XMM-Newton articles are not
primarily X-ray observational papers. The distribution of elapsed time between
observations taken under the Guest Observer programme and first article peaks
at 2 years with a possible second peak at 3.25 years. Observations taken under
the Target of Opportunity programme are published significantly faster, after
one year on average. 90% of science time taken until the end of 2009 has been
used in at least one article. Most observations were used more than once,
yielding on average a factor of two in usage on available observing time per
year. About 20% of all slew observations have been used in publications. The
scientific productivity of XMM-Newton remains extremely high with no evidence
that it is decreasing after more than 13 years of operations.


title: Comment on Partial Adiabatic Quantum Search

abstract:
  The partial adiabatic search algorithm was introduced in [A. Tulsi, Phys.
Rev. A 80, 052328 (2009)] as a modification of the usual adiabatic algorithm
for quantum search with the idea that most of the interesting computation only
happens over a very short range of the adiabatic path. By focussing on that
restricted range, one can potentially gain advantage by reducing the control
requirements on the system, enabling a uniform rate of evolution. In this
comment, we point out an oversight in the original work [1] that invalidates
its proof. However, the argument can be corrected, and the calculations in [1]
are then sufficient to show that the scheme still works. Nevertheless,
subsequent works [2-6] cannot all be recovered in the same way.


title:
Nucleation, condensation and lambda-transition on a real-life stock
  market

abstract:
  We fill a void in merging empirical and phenomenological characterisation of
the dynamical phase transitions in complex systems by identifying three of them
on real-life financial markets. We extract and interpret the empirical,
numerical, and semi-analytical evidences for the existence of these phase
transitions, by considering the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE), as a typical
example of a financial market of a medium size. Using the canonical object for
the graph theory, i.e. the Minimal Spanning Tree (MST) network, we observe: (i)
The initial phase transition from the equilibrium to non-equilibrium MST
network in its nucleation phase, occurring at some critical time. Coalescence
of edges on the FSE's transient leader is observed within the nucleation and is
approximately characterized by the Lifsthiz-Slyozov growth exponent; (ii) The
nucleation accelerates and transforms to the condensation process, in the
second phase transition, forming a logarithmically diverging lambda-peak of
short-range order parameters at the subsequent critical time - an analogon of
such a transition in superfluidity; (iii) In the third phase transition, the
peak logarithmically decreases over three quarters of the year, resulting in a
few loosely connected sub-graphs. This peak is reminiscent of a non-equilibrium
superstar-like superhub or a `dragon king' effect, abruptly accelerating the
evolution of the leader company. All these phase transitions are caused by the
few richest vertices, which drift towards the leader and provide the most of
the edges increasing the leader's degree. Thus, we capture an amazing
phenomenon, likely of a more universal character, where a peripheral vertex
becomes the one which is over dominating the complex network during an
exceptionally long period of time.


title:
Specific features of electron spin resonance in quasi-1D magnet
  {\beta}-TeVO4

abstract:
  The angular and temperature dependences of single crystal ESR spectra at
X-band frequency of quasi 1D spin 1/2 antiferromagnetic zigzag chain system
{\beta}-TeVO4 are reported. Two resonance components in the ESR spectrum have
been detected: a weak narrow resonance on the top of the extremely broad
signal. The narrow line might be due to an impurity, the characteristics of the
broad absorption do not correlate with a picture of the typical behavior for
the V4+ ions (S = 1/2) with a square pyramidal environment. It was found that
at low temperatures the divergence of the spin susceptibility and linewidth of
the observed excitations can be due to a realization of three dimensional
magnetic ordering.


title: Varieties with too many rational points

abstract:
  We investigate Fano varieties defined over a number field that contain
subvarieties whose number of rational points of bounded height is comparable to
the total number on the variety.


title: A visual formalism for weights satisfying reverse inequalities

abstract:
  In this expository article we introduce a diagrammatic scheme to represent
reverse classes of weights and some of their properties.


title: Lemma 4: Haptic Input + Auditory Display = Musical Instrument?

abstract:
  In this paper we look at some of the design issues that affect the success of
multimodal displays that combine acoustic and haptic modalities. First, issues
affecting successful sonification design are explored and suggestions are made
about how the language of electroacoustic music can assist. Next, haptic
interaction is introduced in the light of this discussion, particularly
focusing on the roles of gesture and mimesis. Finally, some observations are
made regarding some of the issues that arise when the haptic and acoustic
modalities are combined in the interface. This paper looks at examples of where
auditory and haptic interaction have been successfully combined beyond the
strict confines of the human-computer application interface (musical
instruments in particular) and discusses lessons that may be drawn from these
domains and applied to the world of multimodal human-computer interaction. The
argument is made that combined haptic-auditory interaction schemes can be
thought of as musical instruments and some of the possible ramifications of
this are raised.


title: HerMES: Clusters of Dusty Galaxies Uncovered by Herschel and Planck

abstract:
  The potential for Planck to detect clusters of dusty, star-forming galaxies
at z greater than 1 is tested by examining the Herschel-SPIRE images of Planck
Early Release Compact Source Catalog (ERCSC) sources lying in fields observed
by the HerMES survey. Of the 16 Planck sources that lie in the roughly 90 sq.
deg. examined, we find that twelve are associated with single bright Herschel
sources. The remaining four are associated with overdensities of Herschel
sources, making them candidate clusters of dusty, starforming galaxies. We use
complementary optical and NIR data for these clumps to test this idea, and find
evidence for the presence of galaxy clusters in all four cases. We use
photometric redshifts and red sequence galaxies to estimate the redshifts of
these clusters, finding that they range from 0.8 to 2.3. These redshifts imply
that the Herschel sources in these clusters, which contribute to the detected
Planck flux, are forming stars very rapidly, with typical total cluster star
formation rates greater than 1000Msun per yr. The high redshift clusters
discovered in these observations are used to constrain the epoch of cluster
galaxy formation, finding that the galaxies in our clusters are 1 to 1.5 Gy old
at z about 1 to 2. Prospects for the discovery of further clusters of dusty
galaxies are discussed, using not only all sky Planck surveys, but also deeper,
smaller area, Herschel surveys.


title: Covering techniques and rational points on some genus 5 curves

abstract:
  We describe a method that allows, under some hypotheses, to compute all the
rational points of some genus 5 curves defined over a number field. This method
is used to solve some arithmetic problems that remained open.


title:
Realization of Quantum Digital Signatures without the requirement of
  quantum memory

abstract:
  Digital signatures are widely used to provide security for electronic
communications, for example in financial transactions and electronic mail.
Currently used classical digital signature schemes, however, only offer
security relying on unproven computational assumptions. In contrast, quantum
digital signatures (QDS) offer information-theoretic security based on laws of
quantum mechanics (e.g. Gottesman and Chuang 2001). Here, security against
forging relies on the impossibility of perfectly distinguishing between
non-orthogonal quantum states. A serious drawback of previous QDS schemes is
however that they require long-term quantum memory, making them unfeasible in
practice. We present the first realisation of a scheme (Dunjko et al 2013) that
does not need quantum memory, and which also uses only standard linear optical
components and photodetectors. To achieve this, the recipients measure the
distributed quantum signature states using a new type of quantum measurement,
quantum state elimination (e.g. Barnett 2009, Bandyopadhyay et al 2013). This
significantly advances QDS as a quantum technology with potential for real
applications.