title: Ramsey-type numbers involving graphs and hypergraphs with large girth

abstract:
  A question of Erd\H{o}s asks if for every pair of positive integers $r$ and
$k$, there exists a graph $H$ having $\textrm{girth}(H)=k$ and the property
that every $r$-colouring of the edges of $H$ yields a monochromatic cycle
$C_k$. The existence of such graphs was confirmed by the third author and
Ruci\'nski.
  We consider the related numerical problem of determining the smallest such
graph with this property. We show that for integers $r$ and $k$, there exists a
graph $H$ on $R^{10k^2} k^{15k^3}$ vertices (where $R = R(C_k;r)$ is the
$r$-colour Ramsey number for the cycle $C_k$) having $\textrm{girth}(H)=k$ and
the Ramsey property that every $r$-colouring of $E(H)$ yields a monochromatic
$C_k$. Two related numerical problems regarding arithmetic progressions in sets
and cliques in graphs are also considered.


title: A quantitative Balian-Low theorem for higher dimensions

abstract:
  We extend the quantitative Balian-Low theorem of Nitzan and Olsen to higher
dimensions.


title:
Beyond quasi-optics: an exact approach to self-diffraction, reflection
  and finite-waist focusing of matter wave trajectories

abstract:
  The "main road" open by de Broglie's and Schroedinger's discovery of matter
waves and of their eigen-functions branched off, as is well known, into
different "sub-routes". The most widely accepted one is Standard Quantum
Mechanics (SQM), interpreting the time-dependent Schroedinger equation as the
basic evolution law of a wave-packet which represents the simultaneous
probabilistic permanence of a particle in its full set of eigenstates. Another
"sub-route" is offered by Bohm's Mechanics, able to reproduce the same results
of SQM, while interpreting the stream-lines of the probability current density
as the "quantum trajectories" of the moving particles. Reminding that the
so-called quasi-optical approximation represents a standard mathematical
technique allowing a ray-based treatment of wave-like features, we present here
an exact wave-mechanical "sub-route", based on the observation that the
time-independent Schroedinger equation may be treated, bypassing any
quasi-optical approximation, in terms of a Hamiltonian set of rays mutually
coupled by an energy-dependent function (which we call "Wave Potential")
encoded in the very structure of any Helmholtz-like equation. These rays lend
themselves to be interpreted as the exact wave-dynamical trajectories and
motion laws of classical-looking point-particles associated with the de
Broglie-Schroedinger matter waves. The role of the Wave Potential, acting
perpendicularly to the momentum of the moving particles, is to "pilot" them
without any energy exchange: a property which isn't shared by the well-known
"Quantum Potential" of the Bohmian theory, involving the entire spectrum of
possible eigen-energies of a wave-packet. This property turns out to allow the
numerical computation of the particle trajectories, which we perform and
discuss here for particles piloted by the Wave Potential in many different and
significant force-fields.


title:
Complex Tauberian theorems for Laplace transforms with local
  pseudofunction boundary behavior

abstract:
  We provide several Tauberian theorems for Laplace transforms with local
pseudofunction boundary behavior. Our results generalize and improve various
known versions of the Ingham-Fatou-Riesz theorem and the Wiener-Ikehara
theorem. Using local pseudofunction boundary behavior enables us to relax
boundary requirements to a minimum. Furthermore, we allow possible null sets of
boundary singularities and remove unnecessary uniformity conditions occurring
in earlier works; to this end, we obtain a useful characterization of local
pseudofunctions. Most of our results are proved under one-sided Tauberian
hypotheses; in this context, we also establish new boundedness theorems for
Laplace transforms with pseudomeasure boundary behavior. As an application, we
refine various results related to the Katznelson-Tzafriri theorem for power
series.


title: Annual Journal citation indices: a comparative study

abstract:
  We study the statistics of citations made to the indexed Science journals in
the Journal Citation Reports during the period 2004-2013 using different
measures. We consider different measures which quantify the impact of the
journals. To our surprise, we find that the apparently uncorrelated measures,
even when defined in an arbitrary manner, show strong correlations. This is
checked over all the years considered. Impact factor being one of these
measures, the present work raises the question whether it is actually a nearly
perfect index as claimed often. In addition we study the distributions of the
different indices which also behave similarly.


title:
An Autonomous Dynamical System Captures all LCSs in Three-Dimensional
  Unsteady Flows

abstract:
  Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs) are material surfaces that shape
finite-time tracer patterns in flows with arbitrary time dependence. Depending
on their deformation properties, elliptic and hyperbolic LCSs have been
identified from different variational principles, solving different equations.
Here we observe that, in three dimensions, initial positions of all variational
LCSs are invariant manifolds of the same autonomous dynamical system, generated
by the intermediate eigenvector field, $\xi_{2}(x_{0})$, of the Cauchy-Green
strain tensor. This $\xi_{2}$-system allows for the detection of LCSs in any
unsteady flow by classic methods, such as Poincar\'e maps, developed for
autonomous dynamical systems. As examples, we consider both steady and
time-aperiodic flows, and use their dual $\xi_{2}$-system to uncover both
hyperbolic and elliptic LCSs from a single computation.


title: Spectral inequalities in quantitative form

abstract:
  We review some results about quantitative improvements of sharp inequalities
for eigenvalues of the Laplacian.


title:
Speed-Constrained Tuning for Statistical Machine Translation Using
  Bayesian Optimization

abstract:
  We address the problem of automatically finding the parameters of a
statistical machine translation system that maximize BLEU scores while ensuring
that decoding speed exceeds a minimum value. We propose the use of Bayesian
Optimization to efficiently tune the speed-related decoding parameters by
easily incorporating speed as a noisy constraint function. The obtained
parameter values are guaranteed to satisfy the speed constraint with an
associated confidence margin. Across three language pairs and two speed
constraint values, we report overall optimization time reduction compared to
grid and random search. We also show that Bayesian Optimization can decouple
speed and BLEU measurements, resulting in a further reduction of overall
optimization time as speed is measured over a small subset of sentences.


title:
Modified Filon-Clenshaw-Curtis rules for oscillatory integrals with a
  nonlinear oscillator

abstract:
  Filon-Clenshaw-Curtis rules are among rapid and accurate quadrature rules for
computing highly oscillatory integrals. In the implementation of the
Filon-Clenshaw-Curtis rules in the case when the oscillator function is not
linear, its inverse should be evaluated at some points. In this paper, we solve
this problem by introducing an approach based on the interpolation, which leads
to a class of modifications of the original Filon-Clenshaw-Curtis rules. In the
absence of stationary points, two kinds of modified Filon-Clenshaw-Curtis rules
are introduced. For each kind, an error estimate is given theoretically, and
then illustrated by some numerical experiments. Also, some numerical
experiments are carried out for a comparison of the accuracy and the efficiency
of the two rules. In the presence of stationary points, the idea is applied to
the composite Filon-Clenshaw-Curtis rules on graded meshes. An error estimate
is given theoretically, and then illustrated by some numerical experiments.


title: An alternative observable to estimate keff in fast ADS

abstract:
  In this paper we examine an alternative method for determining the neutron
multiplication factor keff in fast subcritical reactors, based on the
observable obtained by calculating the ratio between the ``fast`` component of
the neutron flux (in this case by fast we mean neutrons with kinetic energy
above 0.5 MeV) and the whole flux at all energies. The assumption behind the
present study was that the above mentioned observable would be only sensitive
to keff, provided a peripheral fuel rod is considered (i.e. far from the
neutron source in subcritical systems) and keff is sufficiently high. Indeed,
our results show that, for keff> 0.7, the ratio calculated for LFR or GFR
models turns out to show a quite similar trend well approximated by a straight
line, while a different slope is observed for a sodium reactor. In our opinion,
the results obtained show that such observable, after appropriate calibrations
on the real systems under consideration, may be used for determining keff in
all operational conditions, in particular for subcritical systems with
different types of neutron source and different values of the beam current.


title: On temporal correlations in high-resolution frequency counting

abstract:
  We analyze noise properties of time series of frequency data from different
counting modes of a Keysight 53230A frequency counter. We use a 10 MHz
reference signal from a passive hydrogen maser connected via phase-stable
Huber+Suhner Sucoflex 104 cables to the reference and input connectors of the
counter. We find that the high resolution gap-free (CONT) frequency counting
process imposes long-term correlations in the output data, resulting in a
modified Allan deviation that is characteristic of random walk phase noise.
Equally important, the CONT mode results in a frequency bias. In contrast, the
counter's undocumented raw continuous mode (RCON) yields unbiased frequency
stability estimates with white phase noise characteristics, and of a magnitude
consistent with the counter's 20 ps single-shot resolution. Furthermore, we
demonstrate that a 100-point running average filter in conjunction with the
RCON mode yields resolution enhanced frequency estimates with flicker phase
noise characteristics. For instance, the counter's built-in moving-average
function can be used. The improved noise characteristics of the averaged RCON
mode versus the CONT mode imply that the former mode yields frequency estimates
with improved confidence for a given measurement time.


title:
Mathieu-type series built by $(p, q)$-extended Gaussian hypergeometric
  function

abstract:
  The main purpose of this paper is to present closed integral form expressions
for the Mathieu-type $\boldsymbol a$-series and its associated alternating
version whose terms contain a $(p, q)$-extended Gauss' hypergeometric function.
Certain upper bounds for the two series are also given.


title: The Imprecise Search for Habitability

abstract: Hunting for Alien Habitats Without Defining Life?


title:
The energy-dependent position of the IBEX ribbon due to the solar wind
  structure

abstract:
  Observations of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) allow for remote studies of
the plasma condition in the heliosphere and the neighboring local interstellar
medium. The first IBEX results revealed an arc-like enhancement of the ENA
intensity in the sky, known as the ribbon. The ribbon was not expected from the
heliospheric models prior to the IBEX launch. One of the proposed explanations
of the ribbon is the mechanism of the secondary ENA emission. The ribbon
reveals energy-dependent structure in the relative intensity along its
circumference and in the position. Namely, the ribbon geometric center varies
systematically by about 10$^\circ$ in the energy range 0.7-4.3 keV. Here, we
show by analytic modeling that this effect is a consequence of the
helio-latitudinal structure of the solar wind reflected in the secondary ENAs.
Along with a recently measured distance to the ribbon source just beyond the
heliopause, our findings support the connection of the ribbon with the local
interstellar magnetic field by the mechanism of the secondary ENA emission.
However, the magnitude of the center shift in the highest IBEX energy channel
is much larger in the observations than expected from the modeling. This may be
due to another, not currently recognized, process of ENA generation.


title: Demonstrating Hybrid Learning in a Flexible Neuromorphic Hardware System

abstract:
  We present results from a new approach to learning and plasticity in
neuromorphic hardware systems: to enable flexibility in implementable learning
mechanisms while keeping high efficiency associated with neuromorphic
implementations, we combine a general-purpose processor with full-custom analog
elements.
  This processor is operating in parallel with a fully parallel neuromorphic
system consisting of an array of synapses connected to analog, continuous time
neuron circuits. Novel analog correlation sensor circuits process spike events
for each synapse in parallel and in real-time.
  The processor uses this pre-processing to compute new weights possibly using
additional information following its program.
  Therefore, learning rules can be defined in software giving a large degree of
flexibility.
  Synapses realize correlation detection geared towards Spike-Timing Dependent
Plasticity (STDP) as central computational primitive in the analog domain.
  Operating at a speed-up factor of 1000 compared to biological time-scale, we
measure time-constants from tens to hundreds of micro-seconds.
  We analyze variability across multiple chips and demonstrate learning using a
multiplicative STDP rule.
  We conclude, that the presented approach will enable flexible and efficient
learning as a platform for neuroscientific research and technological
applications.


title: Superconductivity in doped Dirac semimetals

abstract:
  We theoretically study intrinsic superconductivity in doped Dirac semimetals.
Dirac semimetals host bulk Dirac points, which are formed by doubly degenerate
bands, so the Hamiltonian is described by a $4 \times 4$ matrix and six types
of $k$-independent pair potentials are allowed by the Fermi-Dirac statistics.
We show that the unique spin-orbit coupling leads to characteristic
superconducting gap structures and $d$ vectors on the Fermi surface and the
electron-electron interaction between intra and interorbitals gives a novel
phase diagram of superconductivity. It is found that when the inter-orbital
attraction is dominant, an unconventional superconducting state with point
nodes appears. To verify the experimental signature of possible superconducting
states, we calculate the temperature dependence of bulk physical properties
such as electronic specific heat and spin susceptibility and surface state. In
the unconventional superconducting phase, either dispersive or flat Andreev
bound states appear between point nodes, which leads to double peaks or single
peak in the surface density of states, respectively. As a result, possible
superconducting states can be distinguished by combining bulk and surface
measurements.


title:
Why one-size-fits-all vaso-modulatory interventions fail to control
  glioma invasion: in silico insights

abstract:
  There is an ongoing debate on the therapeutic potential of vaso-modulatory
interventions against glioma invasion. Prominent vasculature-targeting
therapies involve functional tumour-associated blood vessel deterioration and
normalisation. The former aims at tumour infarction and nutrient deprivation
medi- ated by vascular targeting agents that induce occlusion/collapse of
tumour blood vessels. In contrast, the therapeutic intention of normalising the
abnormal structure and function of tumour vascular net- works, e.g. via
alleviating stress-induced vaso-occlusion, is to improve chemo-, immuno- and
radiation therapy efficacy. Although both strategies have shown therapeutic
potential, it remains unclear why they often fail to control glioma invasion
into the surrounding healthy brain tissue. To shed light on this issue, we
propose a mathematical model of glioma invasion focusing on the interplay
between the mi- gration/proliferation dichotomy (Go-or-Grow) of glioma cells
and modulations of the functional tumour vasculature. Vaso-modulatory
interventions are modelled by varying the degree of vaso-occlusion. We
discovered the existence of a critical cell proliferation/diffusion ratio that
separates glioma invasion re- sponses to vaso-modulatory interventions into two
distinct regimes. While for tumours, belonging to one regime, vascular
modulations reduce the tumour front speed and increase the infiltration width,
for those in the other regime the invasion speed increases and infiltration
width decreases. We show how these in silico findings can be used to guide
individualised approaches of vaso-modulatory treatment strategies and thereby
improve success rates.


title: Combined Electroweak and QCD Fit to HERA Data

abstract:
  A simultaneous Electroweak and QCD fit of electroweak parameters and parton
distribution functions to HERA data on deep inelastic scattering is presented.
The input data are neutral current and charged current inclusive cross sections
measured by the H1 and ZEUS collaborations at the ep collider HERA. The
polarisation of the electron beam was taken into account for the ZEUS and H1
data recorded between 2004 and 2007. Results are presented on the vector and
axial-vector couplings of the Z boson to u- and d-type quarks. The values are
in agreement with Standard Model predictions. The results on a_u and v_u
represent the most precise measurements from a single process.


title: On a problem by Shapozenko on Johnson graphs

abstract:
  The Johnson graph $J(n,m)$ has the $m$--subsets of $\{1,2,\ldots,n\}$ as
vertices and two subsets are adjacent in the graph if they share $m-1$
elements. Shapozenko asked about the isoperimetric function $\mu_{n,m}(k)$ of
Johnson graphs, that is, the cardinality of the smallest boundary of sets with
$k$ vertices in $J(n,m)$ for each $1\le k\le {n\choose m}$. We give an upper
bound for $\mu_{n,m}(k)$ and show that, for each given $k$ such that the
solution to the Shadow Minimization Problem in the Boolean lattice is unique,
and each sufficiently large $n$, the given upper bound is tight. We also show
that the bound is tight for the small values of $k\le m+1$ and for all values
of $k$ when $m=2$.


title:
Mastering 2048 with Delayed Temporal Coherence Learning, Multi-Stage
  Weight Promotion, Redundant Encoding and Carousel Shaping

abstract:
  2048 is an engaging single-player, nondeterministic video puzzle game, which,
thanks to the simple rules and hard-to-master gameplay, has gained massive
popularity in recent years. As 2048 can be conveniently embedded into the
discrete-state Markov decision processes framework, we treat it as a testbed
for evaluating existing and new methods in reinforcement learning. With the aim
to develop a strong 2048 playing program, we employ temporal difference
learning with systematic n-tuple networks. We show that this basic method can
be significantly improved with temporal coherence learning, multi-stage
function approximator with weight promotion, carousel shaping, and redundant
encoding. In addition, we demonstrate how to take advantage of the
characteristics of the n-tuple network, to improve the algorithmic
effectiveness of the learning process by i) delaying the (decayed) update and
applying lock-free optimistic parallelism to effortlessly make advantage of
multiple CPU cores. This way, we were able to develop the best known 2048
playing program to date, which confirms the effectiveness of the introduced
methods for discrete-state Markov decision problems.


title: Normative Multiagent Systems: A Dynamic Generalization

abstract:
  Social norms are powerful formalism in coordinating autonomous agents'
behaviour to achieve certain objectives. In this paper, we propose a dynamic
normative system to enable the reasoning of the changes of norms under
different circumstances, which cannot be done in the existing static normative
systems. We study two important problems (norm synthesis and norm recognition)
related to the autonomy of the entire system and the agents, and characterise
the computational complexities of solving these problems.


title: Preparation of ultracold atom clouds at the shot noise level

abstract:
  We prepare number stabilized ultracold clouds through the real-time analysis
of non-destructive images and the application of feedback. In our experiments,
the atom number ${N\sim10^6}$ is determined by high precision Faraday imaging
with uncertainty $\Delta_N$ below the shot noise level, i.e., $\Delta_N
<\sqrt{N}$. Based on this measurement, feedback is applied to reduce the atom
number to a user-defined target, whereupon a second imaging series probes the
number stabilized cloud. By this method, we show that the atom number in
ultracold clouds can be prepared below the shot noise level.


title:
Temporal signatures of the Cherenkov light induced by extensive air
  showers of cosmic rays detected with the Yakutsk array

abstract:
  We analyze temporal characteristics of signals from the wide field-of-view
(WFOV) Cherenkov telescope (CT) detecting extensive air showers (EAS) of cosmic
rays (CR) in coincidence with surface detectors of the Yakutsk array. Our aim
is to reveal causal relationships between measured characteristics and physical
properties of EAS.


title: Dispersive thermometry with a Josephson junction coupled to a resonator

abstract:
  We have embedded a small Josephson junction in a microwave resonator that
allows simultaneous dc biasing and dispersive readout. Thermal fluctuations
drive the junction into phase diffusion and induce a temperature-dependent
shift in the resonance frequency. By sensing the thermal noise of a remote
resistor in this manner, we demonstrate primary thermometry in the range from
300 mK to below 100 mK, and high-bandwidth (7.5 MHz) operation with a
noise-equivalent temperature of better than 10 $\mathrm{\mu K/\sqrt{Hz}}$. At a
finite bias voltage close to a Fiske resonance, amplification of the microwave
probe signal is observed. We develop an accurate theoretical model of our
device based on the theory of dynamical Coulomb blockade.


title: Robust Draws in Balanced Knockout Tournaments

abstract:
  Balanced knockout tournaments are ubiquitous in sports competitions and are
also used in decision-making and elections. The traditional computational
question, that asks to compute a draw (optimal draw) that maximizes the winning
probability for a distinguished player, has received a lot of attention.
Previous works consider the problem where the pairwise winning probabilities
are known precisely, while we study how robust is the winning probability with
respect to small errors in the pairwise winning probabilities. First, we
present several illuminating examples to establish: (a)~there exist
deterministic tournaments (where the pairwise winning probabilities are~0 or~1)
where one optimal draw is much more robust than the other; and (b)~in general,
there exist tournaments with slightly suboptimal draws that are more robust
than all the optimal draws. The above examples motivate the study of the
computational problem of robust draws that guarantee a specified winning
probability. Second, we present a polynomial-time algorithm for approximating
the robustness of a draw for sufficiently small errors in pairwise winning
probabilities, and obtain that the stated computational problem is NP-complete.
We also show that two natural cases of deterministic tournaments where the
optimal draw could be computed in polynomial time also admit polynomial-time
algorithms to compute robust optimal draws.


title:
End-to-End Tracking and Semantic Segmentation Using Recurrent Neural
  Networks

abstract:
  In this work we present a novel end-to-end framework for tracking and
classifying a robot's surroundings in complex, dynamic and only partially
observable real-world environments. The approach deploys a recurrent neural
network to filter an input stream of raw laser measurements in order to
directly infer object locations, along with their identity in both visible and
occluded areas. To achieve this we first train the network using unsupervised
Deep Tracking, a recently proposed theoretical framework for end-to-end space
occupancy prediction. We show that by learning to track on a large amount of
unsupervised data, the network creates a rich internal representation of its
environment which we in turn exploit through the principle of inductive
transfer of knowledge to perform the task of it's semantic classification. As a
result, we show that only a small amount of labelled data suffices to steer the
network towards mastering this additional task. Furthermore we propose a novel
recurrent neural network architecture specifically tailored to tracking and
semantic classification in real-world robotics applications. We demonstrate the
tracking and classification performance of the method on real-world data
collected at a busy road junction. Our evaluation shows that the proposed
end-to-end framework compares favourably to a state-of-the-art, model-free
tracking solution and that it outperforms a conventional one-shot training
scheme for semantic classification.


title: Hyperscaling violation and the shear diffusion constant

abstract:
  We consider holographic theories in bulk $(d+1)$-dimensions with Lifshitz and
hyperscaling violating exponents $z,\theta$ at finite temperature. By studying
shear gravitational modes in the near-horizon region given certain
self-consistent approximations, we obtain the corresponding shear diffusion
constant on an appropriately defined stretched horizon, adapting the analysis
of Kovtun, Son and Starinets. For generic exponents with $d-z-\theta>-1$, we
find that the diffusion constant has power law scaling with the temperature,
motivating us to guess a universal relation for the viscosity bound. When the
exponents satisfy $d-z-\theta=-1$, we find logarithmic behaviour. This relation
is equivalent to $z=2+d_{eff}$ where $d_{eff}=d_i-\theta$ is the effective
boundary spatial dimension (and $d_i=d-1$ the actual spatial dimension). It is
satisfied by the exponents in hyperscaling violating theories arising from null
reductions of highly boosted black branes, and we comment on the corresponding
analysis in that context.


title: Quantum entropy derived from first principles

abstract:
  The most fundamental properties of quantum entropy are derived by considering
the union of two ensembles. We discuss the limits these properties put on an
entropy measure and obtain that they uniquely determine the form of the entropy
functional up to normalisation. In particular, the result implies that all
other properties of quantum entropy may be derived from these first principles.


title:
Predictable patterns in planetary transit timing variations and transit
  duration variations due to exomoons

abstract:
  We present new ways to identify single and multiple moons around extrasolar
planets using planetary transit timing variations (TTVs) and transit duration
variations (TDVs). For planets with one moon, measurements from successive
transits exhibit a hitherto undescribed pattern in the TTV-TDV diagram,
originating from the stroboscopic sampling of the planet's orbit around the
planet-moon barycenter. This pattern is fully determined and analytically
predictable after three consecutive transits. The more measurements become
available, the more the TTV-TDV diagram approaches an ellipse. For planets with
multiple moons in orbital mean motion resonance (MMR), like the Galilean moons,
the pattern is much more complex and addressed numerically in this report.
Exomoons in MMR can also form closed, predictable TTV-TDV figures if the drift
of the moons' pericenters is sufficiently slow. We find that MMR exomoons
produce loops in the TTV-TDV diagram and that the number of these loops is
equal to the order of the MMR, or the largest integer in the MMR ratio. We use
a Bayesian model and Monte Carlo simulations to test the discoverability of
exomoons using TTV-TDV diagrams with current and near-future technology. In a
blind test, two of us (BP, DA) successfully retrieved a large moon from
simulated TTV-TDV by co-authors MH and RH, which resembled data from a known
Kepler planet candidate. Single exomoons with a 10% moon-to-planet mass ratio,
like to Pluto-Charon binary, can be detectable in the archival data of the
Kepler primary mission. Multi-exomoon systems, however, require either larger
telescopes or brighter target stars. Complementary detection methods invoking a
moon's own photometric transit or its orbital sampling effect can be used for
validation or falsification. A combination of TESS, CHEOPS, and PLATO data
would offer a compelling opportunity for exomoon discoveries around bright
stars.


title: Defragmentation-as-a-Service (DaaS): How beneficial is it?

abstract:
  We analyze Defragmentation-as-a-Service (DaaS) in elastic optical networks
and show that the positive effect of defragmentation depends on the rate at
which it is performed, load (or, call arrival rates) and the available
resources.


title:
Pixel-level Encoding and Depth Layering for Instance-level Semantic
  Labeling

abstract:
  Recent approaches for instance-aware semantic labeling have augmented
convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with complex multi-task architectures or
computationally expensive graphical models. We present a method that leverages
a fully convolutional network (FCN) to predict semantic labels, depth and an
instance-based encoding using each pixel's direction towards its corresponding
instance center. Subsequently, we apply low-level computer vision techniques to
generate state-of-the-art instance segmentation on the street scene datasets
KITTI and Cityscapes. Our approach outperforms existing works by a large margin
and can additionally predict absolute distances of individual instances from a
monocular image as well as a pixel-level semantic labeling.


title:
Quantum Feedback Cooling of a Mechanical Oscillator Using Variational
  Measurements:Tweaking Heisenberg's Microscope

abstract:
  We revisit the problem of preparing a mechanical oscillator in the vicinity
of its quantum-mechanical ground state by means of feedback cooling based on
continuous optical detection of the oscillator position. In the parameter
regime relevant to ground state cooling, the optical back-action and
imprecision noise set the bottleneck of achievable cooling and must be
carefully balanced. This can be achieved by adapting the phase of the local
oscillator in the homodyne detection realizing a so-called variational
measurement. The trade-off between accurate position measurement and minimal
disturbance can be understood in terms of Heisenberg's microscope and becomes
particularly relevant when the measurement and feedback processes happen to be
fast within the quantum coherence time of the system to be cooled. This
corresponds to the regime of large quantum cooperativity
$C_{\text{q}}\gtrsim1$, which was achieved in recent experiments on feedback
cooling. Our method provides a simple path to further pushing the limits of
current state-of-the-art experiments in quantum optomechanics.


title:
The adiabatic limit of the exact factorization of the electron-nuclear
  wave function

abstract:
  We propose a procedure to analyze the relation between the exact
factorization of the electron-nuclear wave function and the Born-Oppenheimer
approximation. We define the adiabatic limit as the limit of infinite nuclear
mass. To this end, we introduce a unit system that singles out the dependence
on the electron-nuclear mass ratio of each term appearing in the equations of
the exact factorization. We observe how non-adiabatic effects induced by the
coupling to the nuclear motion affect electronic properties and we analyze the
leading term, connecting it to the classical nuclear momentum. Its dependence
on the mass ratio is tested numerically on a model proton- coupled electron
transfer in different non-adiabatic regimes.


title: Cosmology with Negative Absolute Temperatures

abstract:
  Negative absolute temperatures (NAT) are an exotic thermodynamical
consequence of quantum physics which has been known since the 1950's (having
been achieved in the lab on a number of occasions). Recently, the work of Braun
et al (2013) has rekindled interest in negative temperatures and hinted at a
possibility of using NAT systems in the lab as dark energy analogues. This
paper goes one step further, looking into the cosmological consequences of the
existence of a NAT component in the Universe. NAT-dominated expanding Universes
experience a borderline phantom expansion ($w<-1$) with no Big Rip, and their
contracting counterparts are forced to bounce after the energy density becomes
sufficiently large. Both scenarios might be used to solve horizon and flatness
problems analogously to standard inflation and bouncing cosmologies. We discuss
the difficulties in obtaining and ending a NAT-dominated epoch, and possible
ways of obtaining density perturbations with an acceptable spectrum.


title: Non-adiabatic geometric phases and dephasing in an open quantum system

abstract:
  We analyze the influence of a dissipative environment on geometric phases in
a quantum system subject to non-adiabatic evolution. We find dissipative
contributions to the acquired phase and modification of dephasing, considering
the cases of weak short-correlated noise as well as of slow quasi-stationary
noise. Motivated by recent experiments, we find the leading non-adiabatic
corrections to the results, known for the adiabatic limit.


title:
FEC-Assisted Parallel Decoding of Polar Coded Frames: Design
  Considerations

abstract:
  This paper deals with two main issues regarding the short polar codes: the
potential of FEC-assisted decoding and optimal code concatenation strategies
under various design scenarios. Code concatenation and FEC-assisted decoding
are presented systematically, assuming a packetized system. It is shown that
FEC-assisted decoding can improve frame error rate of successive cancellation
decoding arbitrarily, at the expense of some coding rate loss and decoding
complexity linearly increasing with the number of codewords in the frame. This
is compared with list decoding whose complexity grows linearly with the list
size as well as the number of codewords. Thereafter, the frame construction
procedure and decoding algorithm are developed in a realistic framework. Taking
into consideration the effective throughput of the transmission protocol, the
problem of optimal design of concatenated codes is formulated under polar code
length, frame length and target frame-success-rate constraints. Simulations are
performed assuming both additive white Gaussian noise and Rayleigh fading
channels. It is shown that the divide-concatenate strategy for long frames does
not lead to any considerable gain. It is also shown that the performance of
FEC-assisted decoding of frames is improved as the frame length increases while
the conventional successive cancellation decoding undergoes a dramatic
performance loss.


title: Multi-level methods and approximating distribution functions

abstract:
  Biochemical reaction networks are often modelled using discrete-state,
continuous-time Markov chains. System statistics of these Markov chains usually
cannot be calculated analytically and therefore estimates must be generated via
simulation techniques. There is a well documented class of simulation
techniques known as exact stochastic simulation algorithms, an example of which
is Gillespie's direct method. These algorithms often come with high
computational costs, therefore approximate stochastic simulation algorithms
such as the tau-leap method are used. However, in order to minimise the bias in
the estimates generated using them, a relatively small value of tau is needed,
rendering the computational costs comparable to Gillespie's direct method.
  The multi-level Monte Carlo method (Anderson and Higham, Multiscale Model.
Simul. 10:146-179, 2012) provides a reduction in computational costs whilst
minimising or even eliminating the bias in the estimates of system statistics.
This is achieved by first crudely approximating required statistics with many
sample paths of low accuracy. Then correction terms are added until a required
level of accuracy is reached. Recent literature has primarily focussed on
implementing the multi-level method efficiently to estimate a single system
statistic. However, it is clearly also of interest to be able to approximate
entire probability distributions of species counts. We present two novel
methods that combine known techniques for distribution reconstruction with the
multi-level method. We demonstrate the potential of our methods using a number
of examples.


title: On Directed Steiner Trees with Multiple Roots

abstract:
  We introduce a new Steiner-type problem for directed graphs named
\textsc{$q$-Root Steiner Tree}. Here one is given a directed graph $G=(V,A)$
and two subsets of its vertices, $R$ of size $q$ and $T$, and the task is to
find a minimum size subgraph of $G$ that contains a path from each vertex of
$R$ to each vertex of $T$. The special case of this problem with $q=1$ is the
well known \textsc{Directed Steiner Tree} problem, while the special case with
$T=R$ is the \textsc{Strongly Connected Steiner Subgraph} problem.
  We first show that the problem is W[1]-hard with respect to $|T|$ for any $q
\ge 2$. Then we restrict ourselves to instances with $R \subseteq T$.
Generalizing the methods of Feldman and Ruhl [SIAM J. Comput. 2006], we present
an algorithm for this restriction with running time $O(2^{2q+4|T|}\cdot
n^{2q+O(1)})$, i.e., this restriction is FPT with respect to $|T|$ for any
constant $q$. We further show that we can, without significantly affecting the
achievable running time, loosen the restriction to only requiring that in the
solution there are a vertex $v$ and a path from each vertex of $R$ to $v$ and
from $v$ to each vertex of~$T$.
  Finally, we use the methods of Chitnis et al. [SODA 2014] to show that the
restricted version can be solved in planar graphs in $O(2^{O(q \log q+|T|\log
q)}\cdot n^{O(\sqrt{q})})$ time.


title: Transport in a stochastic Goupillaud medium

abstract:
  This paper is part of a project that aims at modelling wave propagation in
random media by means of Fourier integral operators. A partial aspect is
addressed here, namely explicit models of stochastic, highly irregular
transport speeds in one-dimensional transport, which will form the basis for
more complex models. Starting from the concept of a Goupillaud medium (a
layered medium in which the layer thickness is proportional to the propagation
speed), a class of stochastic assumptions and limiting procedures leads to
characteristic curves that are L\'evy processes. Solutions corresponding to
discretely layered media are shown to converge to limits as the time step goes
to zero (almost surely pointwise almost everywhere). This translates into
limits in the Fourier integral operator representations.


title:
Almost holomorphic Poincare series corresponding to products of harmonic
  Siegel-Maass forms

abstract:
  We investigate Poincar\'e series, where we average products of terms of
Fourier series of real-analytic Siegel modular forms. There are some (trivial)
special cases for which the products of terms of Fourier series of elliptic
modular forms and harmonic Maass forms are almost holomorphic, in which case
the corresponding Poincar\'e series are almost holomorphic as well. In general
this is not the case. The main point of this paper is the study of
Siegel-Poincar\'e series of degree $2$ attached to products of terms of Fourier
series of harmonic Siegel-Maass forms and holomorphic Siegel modular forms. We
establish conditions on the convergence and nonvanishing of such
Siegel-Poincar\'e series. We surprisingly discover that these Poincar\'e series
are almost holomorphic Siegel modular forms, although the product of terms of
Fourier series of harmonic Siegel-Maass forms and holomorphic Siegel modular
forms (in contrast to the elliptic case) is not almost holomorphic. Our proof
employs tools from representation theory. In particular, we determine some
constituents of the tensor product of Harish-Chandra modules with walls.


title: Is $n\sin\theta$ conserved along light path?

abstract:
  Snell's law states that the quantity $n\sin\theta$ is unchanged in refraction
of light passing from one medium to another. We inquire whether this is true in
the general case where the speed of light varies continuously within a medium.
It turns out to be an instructive exercise in application of Snell's law and
Fermat's principle. It also provides good pedagogical problems in calculus of
variations to deal with the subtleties of a variable domain of integration and
inclusion of constraints. The final result of these exercises is that, contrary
to an initial expectation, the answer to the question in the title is negative.


title:
DiffFlow: Differentiating Short and Long Flows for Load Balancing in
  Data Center Networks

abstract:
  In current Data Center Networks (DCNs), Equal- Cost MultiPath (ECMP) is used
as the de-facto routing protocol. However, ECMP does not differentiate between
short and long flows, the two main categories of flows depending on their
duration (lifetime). This issue causes hot-spots in the network, affecting
negatively the Flow Completion Time (FCT) and the throughput, the two key
performance metrics in data center networks. Previous work on load balancing
proposed solutions such as splitting long flows into short flows, using
per-packet forwarding approaches, and isolating the paths of short and long
flows. We propose DiffFlow, a new load balancing solution which detects long
flows and forwards packets using Random Packet Spraying (RPS) with help of SDN,
whereas the flows with small duration are forwarded with ECMP by default. The
use of ECMP for short flows is reasonable, as it does not create the
out-of-order problem; at the same time, RPS for long flows can efficiently help
to load balancing the entire network, given that long flows represent most of
the traffic in DCNs. The results show that our DiffFlow solution outperforms
both the individual usage of either RPS or ECMP, while the overall throughput
achieved is maintained at the level comparable to RPS.


title: Steinberg's Conjecture is false

abstract:
  Steinberg conjectured in 1976 that every planar graph with no cycles of
length four or five is 3-colorable. We disprove this conjecture.


title:
Application of the Multi-Peaked Analytically Extended Function to
  Representation of Some Measured Lightning Currents

abstract:
  A multi-peaked form of the analytically extended function (AEF) is used for
approximation of lightning current waveforms in this paper. The AEF function's
parameters are estimated using the Marquardt least-squares method (MLSM), and
the general procedure for fitting the $p$-peaked AEF function to a waveform
with an arbitrary (finite) number of peaks is briefly described. This framework
is used for obtaining parameters of 2-peaked waveforms typically present when
measuring first negative stroke currents. Advantages, disadvantages and
possible improvements of the approach are also discussed.


title:
Accurate determination of the valence band edge in hard x-ray
  photoemission spectra using GW theory

abstract:
  We introduce a new method for determining accurate values of the valence-band
maximum in x-ray photoemission spectra. Specifically, we align the sharpest
peak in the valence-band region of the experimental spectrum with the
corresponding feature of a theoretical valence-band density of states curve
from ab initio GW theory calculations. This method is particularly useful for
soft and hard x-ray photoemission studies of materials with a mixture of
valence-band characters, where strong matrix element effects can render
standard methods for extracting the valence-band maximum unreliable. We apply
our method to hydrogen-terminated boron-doped diamond, which is a promising
substrate material for novel solar cell devices. By carrying out photoemission
experiments with variable light polarizations, we verify the accuracy of our
analysis and the general validity of the method.


title:
Finite-length scaling based on belief propagation for spatially coupled
  LDPC codes

abstract:
  The equivalence of peeling decoding (PD) and Belief Propagation (BP) for
low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes over the binary erasure channel is
analyzed. Modifying the scheduling for PD, it is shown that exactly the same
variable nodes (VNs) are resolved in every iteration than with BP. The decrease
of erased VNs during the decoding process is analyzed instead of resolvable
equations. This quantity can also be derived with density evolution, resulting
in a drastic decrease in complexity. Finally, a scaling law using this quantity
is established for spatially coupled LDPC codes.


title: Full particle orbit effects in regular and stochastic magnetic fields

abstract:
  We present a numerical study of charged particle motion in a time-independent
magnetic field in cylindrical geometry. The magnetic field model consists of an
unperturbed reversed-shear helical part and a perturbation consisting of a
superposition of modes. Contrary to most of the previous studies, the particle
trajectories are computed by directly solving the full Lorentz force equations
of motion in a six-dimensional phase space using a sixth-order, implicit,
symplectic Gauss-Legendre method. The level of stochasticity in the particle
orbits is diagnosed using averaged, effective Poincare sections. It is shown
that when only one mode is present the particle orbits can be stochastic even
though the magnetic field line orbits are not stochastic. The lack of
integrability of the particle orbits in this case is related to separatrix
crossing and the breakdown of the global conservation of the magnetic moment.
Some perturbation consisting of two modes creates resonance overlapping,
leading to Hamiltonian chaos in magnetic field lines. Then, the particle orbits
exhibit a nontrivial dynamics depending on their energy and pitch angle. It is
shown that the regions where the particle motion is stochastic decrease as the
energy increases. The non-monotonicity of the $q$-profile implies the existence
of magnetic ITBs which correspond to shearless flux surfaces located in the
vicinity of the $q$-profile minimum. It is shown that depending on the energy,
these magnetic ITBs might or might not confine particles. That is, magnetic
ITBs act as an energy-dependent particle confinement filter. Magnetic field
lines in reversed-shear configurations exhibit topological bifurcations due to
separatrix reconnection. We show that a similar but more complex scenario
appears in the case of particle orbits that depends in a non-trivial way on the
energy and pitch angle of the particles.


title:
The maximum mutual information between the output of a binary symmetric
  channel and a Boolean function of its input

abstract:
  We prove the Courtade-Kumar conjecture, which states that the mutual
information between any Boolean function of an $n$-dimensional vector of
independent and identically distributed inputs to a memoryless binary symmetric
channel and the corresponding vector of outputs is upper-bounded by
$1-\operatorname{H}(p)$, where $\operatorname{H}(p)$ represents the binary
entropy function. That is, let $\mathbf{X}=[X_1...X_n]$ be a vector of
independent and identically distributed Bernoulli($1/2$) random variables,
which are the input to a memoryless binary symmetric channel, with the error
probability equal to $0 \leq p \leq 1/2$, and $\mathbf{Y}=[Y_1...Y_n]$ the
corresponding output. Let $f:\{0,1\}^n \rightarrow \{0,1\}$ be an
$n$-dimensional Boolean function. Then,
$\operatorname{MI}(f(\mathbf{X}),\mathbf{Y}) \leq 1-\operatorname{H}(p)$. We
provide the proof for the most general case of the conjecture, that is for any
$n$-dimensional Boolean function $f$ and for any value of the error probability
of the binary symmetric channel, $0 \leq p \leq 1/2$. Our proof employs only
basic concepts from information theory, probability theory and transformations
of random variables and vectors.


title: Uniqueness of form extensions and domination of semigroups

abstract:
  In this article, we study questions of uniqueness of form extension for
certain magnetic Schr\"odinger forms. The method is based on the theory of
ordered Hilbert spaces and the concept of domination of semigroups. We review
this concept in an abstract setting and give a characterization in terms of the
associated forms. Then we use it to prove a theorem that transfers uniqueness
of form extension of a dominating form to that of a dominated form. This result
is applied in two concrete situations: magnetic Schr\"odinger forms on graphs
and on domains in Euclidean space.


title:
Irreversible Heating Measurement with Microsecond Pulse Magnet: Example
  of the alpha-theta Phase Transition of Solid Oxygen

abstract:
  Dissipation inevitably occurs in first order phase transitions, leading to
the irreversible heating. Conversely, the irreversible heating effect could be
a clue for the first order phase transition. We measured the temperature change
at the magnetic-field-induced alpha-theta phase transition of solid oxygen. The
significant temperature increase from 13 to 37 K, amounting to 700 J/mol, is
observed due to the irreversible heating at the first order phase transition.
We argue that the hysteresis loss of the magnetization curve and the
dissipative structural transformation account for the irreversible heating. The
measurement of the irreversible heating can be utilized for detecting the
first-order phase transition in good combination with the ultrahigh magnetic
fields generated in microseconds.


title: On sequential separability of functional spaces

abstract:
  In this paper, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the space
B_1(X) of first Baire class functions on a Tychonoff space X, with pointwise
topology, to be (strongly) sequentially separable.


title:
Characteristic Function of Time-Inhomogeneous L\'evy-Driven
  Ornstein-Uhlenbeck Processes

abstract:
  Distributional properties -including Laplace transforms- of integrals of
Markov processes received a lot of attention in the literature. In this paper,
we complete existing results in several ways. First, we provide the analytical
solution to the most general form of Gaussian processes (with non-stationary
increments) solving a stochastic differential equation. We further derive the
characteristic function of integrals of L\'evy-processes and L\'evy driven
Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes with time-inhomogeneous coefficients based on the
characteristic exponent of the corresponding stochastic integral. This yields a
two-dimensional integral which can be solved explicitly in a lot of cases. This
applies to integrals of compound Poisson processes, whose characteristic
function can then be obtained in a much easier way than using joint
conditioning on jump times. Closed form expressions are given for
gamma-distributed jump sizes as an example.


title:
Finitely additive measures in constructions of extension for abstract
  attainability problems

abstract:
  This lecture notes are intended for the students taking courses in
mathematical control theory. They are concerned with the attainability problem
with constraints. The exposition is oriented to the linear control problems
with the impulse constraints and the possible discontinuity in the coefficients
under control actions. In addition, the weakening of constraints is assumed.
The ordinary attainable set is replaced with the attraction set. To construct
this attraction set we realize the extension procedure; the generalized
elements are defined as finitely additive measures with the property of the
weak absolute continuity with respect to the restriction of the Lebesgue
measure. The auxiliary constructions of general topology and measure theory are
used.


title: The water budget of a hurricane as dependent on its movement

abstract:
  Despite the dangers associated with tropical cyclones and their rainfall, the
origins of storm moisture remains unclear. Existing studies have focused on the
region 40-400 km from the cyclone center. It is known that the rainfall within
this area cannot be explained by local processes alone but requires imported
moisture. Nonetheless, the dynamics of this imported moisture appears unknown.
Here, considering a region up to three thousand kilometers from storm center,
we analyze precipitation, atmospheric moisture and movement velocities for
North Atlantic hurricanes. Our findings indicate that even over such large
areas a hurricane's rainfall cannot be accounted for by concurrent evaporation.
We propose instead that a hurricane consumes pre-existing atmospheric water
vapor as it moves. The propagation velocity of the cyclone, i.e. the difference
between its movement velocity and the mean velocity of the surrounding air
(steering flow), determines the water vapor budget. Water vapor available to
the hurricane through its movement makes the hurricane self-sufficient at about
700 km from the hurricane center obviating the need to concentrate moisture
from greater distances. Such hurricanes leave a dry wake, whereby rainfall is
suppressed by up to 40 per cent compared to its long-term mean. The inner
radius of this dry footprint approximately coincides with the radius of
hurricane self-sufficiency with respect to water vapor. We discuss how Carnot
efficiency considerations do not constrain the power of such open systems that
deplete the pre-existing moisture. Our findings emphasize the incompletely
understood role and importance of atmospheric moisture supplies, condensation
and precipitation in hurricane dynamics.


title:
Error estimates in balanced norms of finite element methods on Shishkin
  meshes for reaction-diffusion problems

abstract:
  Error estimates of finite element methods for reaction-diffusion Problems are
often realized in the related energy norm. In the singularly perturbed case,
however, this norm is not adequate. A different scaling of the $H^1$ seminorm
leads to a balanced norm which reflects the layer behavior correctly. We
discuss also anisotropic problems, semilinear equations, supercloseness and a
combination technique.


title:
Probing the CO and methanol snow lines in young protostars. Results from
  the CALYPSO IRAM-PdBI survey

abstract:
  Context. "Snow lines", marking regions where abundant volatiles freeze out
onto the surface of dust grains, play an important role for planet growth and
bulk composition in protoplanetary disks. They can already be observed in the
envelopes of the much younger, low-mass Class 0 protostars that are still in
their early phase of heavy accretion. Aims. We aim at using the information on
the sublimation regions of different kinds of ices to understand the chemistry
of the envelope, its temperature and density structure, and the history of the
accretion process. Methods. As part of the CALYPSO IRAM Large Program, we have
obtained observations of C$^{18}$O, N$_2$H$^+$ and CH$_3$OH towards nearby
Class 0 protostars with the IRAM Plateau de Bure interferometer at
sub-arcsecond resolution. For four of these sources we have modeled the
emission using a chemical code coupled with a radiative transfer module.
Results. We observe an anti-correlation of C$^{18}$O and N$_2$H$^+$ in NGC
1333-IRAS4A, NGC 1333-IRAS4B, L1157, and L1448C, with N$_2$H$^+$ forming a ring
around the centrally peaked C$^{18}$O emission due to N$_2$H$^+$ being
chemically destroyed by CO. The emission regions of models and observations
match for a CO binding energy of 1200 K, which is higher than the binding
energy of pure CO ices ($\sim$855 K). Furthermore, we find very low CO
abundances inside the snow lines in our sources, about an order of magnitude
lower than the total CO abundance observed in the gas on large scales in
molecular clouds before depletion sets in. Conclusions. The high CO binding
energy may hint at CO being frozen out in a polar ice environment like
amorphous water ice or in non-polar CO$_2$-rich ice. The low CO abundances are
comparable to values found in protoplanetary disks, which may indicate an
evolutionary scenario where these low values are already established in the
protostellar phase. (Abbr. Version)


title: Numerical solution of a parabolic system in air pollution

abstract:
  An air pollution model is generally described by a system of PDEs on
unbounded domain. Transformation of the independent variable is used to convert
the problem for nonlinear air pollution on finite computational domain. We
investigate the new, degenerated parabolic problem in Sobolev spaces with
weights for well-posedness and positivity of the solution. Then we construct a
fitted finite volume difference scheme. Some results from computations are
presented.


title: Semiclassical two-step model for strong-field ionization

abstract:
  We present a semiclassical two-step model for strong-field ionization that
accounts for path interferences of tunnel-ionized electrons in the ionic
potential beyond perturbation theory. Within the framework of a classical
trajectory Monte-Carlo representation of the phase-space dynamics, the model
employs the semiclassical approximation to the phase of the full quantum
propagator in the exit channel. By comparison with the exact numerical solution
of the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation for strong-field ionization of
hydrogen, we show that for suitable choices of the momentum distribution after
the first tunneling step, the model yields good quantitative agreement with the
full quantum simulation. The two-dimensional photoelectron momentum
distributions, the energy spectra, and the angular distributions are found to
be in good agreement with the corresponding quantum results. Specifically, the
model quantitatively reproduces the fan-like interference patterns in the
low-energy part of the two-dimensional momentum distributions as well as the
modulations in the photoelectron angular distributions.


title:
A probabilistic analysis of a discrete-time evolution in recombination
  II. (On partitions)

abstract:
  We study the discrete-time evolution of a transformation on a set of
probability measures that is up-dated combining independently the marginals on
the atoms of partitions. This model was recently introduced in Baake, Baake and
Salamat (Discr. and contin. dynam. syst. 36, 2016) for continuous-time
evolution and generalizes previous ones based upon dyadic partitions. We
associate to the discrete-time evolution a natural Markov chain and describe
its quasi-stationary behavior retrieving all the results we recently found for
dyadic partitions.


title: Quantum theory of Kerr nonlinearity with Rydberg slow light polaritons

abstract:
  We study the propagation of Rydberg slow light polaritons through an atomic
medium for intermediate interactions. Then, the dispersion relation for the
polaritons is well described by the slow light velocity alone, which allows for
an analytical solution for arbitrary shape of the atomic cloud. We demonstrate
the connection of Rydberg polaritons to the behavior of a conventional Kerr
nonlinearity for weak interactions, and determine the leading quantum
corrections for increasing interactions. We propose an experimental setup which
allows one to measure the effective two-body interaction potential between slow
light polaritons as well as higher body interactions.


title: A discrete Hughes' model for pedestrian flow on graphs

abstract:
  In this paper, we introduce a discrete time-finite state model for pedestrian
flow on a graph in the spirit of the Hughes dynamic continuum model. The
pedestrians, represented by a density function, move on the graph choosing a
route to minimize the instantaneous travel cost to the destination. The density
is governed by a conservation law while the minimization principle is described
by a graph eikonal equation. We show that the model is well posed and we
implement some numerical examples to demonstrate the validity of the proposed
model.


title: A Dynamic Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi Graph Model

abstract:
  In this article we introduce a dynamic Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi graph model, in
which, independently for each vertex pair, edges appear and disappear according
to a Markov on-off process. In studying the dynamic graph we present two main
results. The first being on how long it takes for the graph to reach
stationarity. We give an explicit expression for this time, as well as proving
that this is the fastest time to reach stationarity among all strong stationary
times. The second result concerns the time it takes for the dynamic graph to
reach a certain number of edges. We give an explicit expression for the
expected value of such a time, as well as study its asymptotic behavior. This
time is related to the first time the dynamic Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi graph contains
a cluster exceeding a certain size.


title: A constructive method for linear extensions of Zadeh's fuzzy order

abstract:
  In this paper, we give a constructive method for linear extensions of Zadeh's
fuzzy orders. We also characterize Zadeh's fuzzy orders by their linear
extensions.


title: Memory shapes time perception and intertemporal choices

abstract:
  There is a consensus that human and non-human subjects experience temporal
distortions in many stages of their perceptual and decision-making systems.
Similarly, intertemporal choice research has shown that decision-makers
undervalue future outcomes relative to immediate ones. Here we combine
techniques from information theory and artificial intelligence to show how both
temporal distortions and intertemporal choice preferences can be explained as a
consequence of the coding efficiency of sensorimotor representation. In
particular, the model implies that interactions that constrain future behavior
are perceived as being both longer in duration and more valuable. Furthermore,
using simulations of artificial agents, we investigate how memory constraints
enforce a renormalization of the perceived timescales. Our results show that
qualitatively different discount functions, such as exponential and hyperbolic
discounting, arise as a consequence of an agent's probabilistic model of the
world.


title: Hamiltonian dynamics on matched pairs

abstract:
  It is shown that the cotangent bundle of a matched pair Lie group is itself a
matched pair Lie group. The trivialization of the cotangent bundle of a matched
pair Lie group are presented. On the trivialized space, the canonical
symplectic two-form and canonical Poisson bracket are explicitly written.
Various symplectic and Poisson reductions are perfomed. The Lie-Poisson bracket
is derived. As an example, Lie-Poisson equations on
$\mathfrak{sl}(2,\mathbb{C})^\ast$ are obtained.


title:
Phase transition in a Aubry-Andre system with rapidly oscillating
  magnetic field

abstract:
  We investigate a variant of the Aubry-Andr\'e-Harper (AAH) model
corresponding to a bosonic optical lattice of ultra cold atoms under an
effective oscillatory magnetic field. In the limit of high frequency
oscillation, the system maybe approximated by an effective time independent
Hamiltonian. We have studied localization/delocalization transition exhibited
by the effective Hamiltonian. The effective Hamiltonian is found to retain the
tight binding tri-diagonal form in position space. In a striking contrast to
the usual AAH model, this non-dual system shows an energy dependent mobility
edge - a feature which is usually reminiscent of Hamiltonians with beyond the
nearest neighbour hoppings in real space. Finally, we discuss possibilities of
experimentally realizing this system in optical lattices.


title: Using Self-Contradiction to Learn Confidence Measures in Stereo Vision

abstract:
  Learned confidence measures gain increasing importance for outlier removal
and quality improvement in stereo vision. However, acquiring the necessary
training data is typically a tedious and time consuming task that involves
manual interaction, active sensing devices and/or synthetic scenes. To overcome
this problem, we propose a new, flexible, and scalable way for generating
training data that only requires a set of stereo images as input. The key idea
of our approach is to use different view points for reasoning about
contradictions and consistencies between multiple depth maps generated with the
same stereo algorithm. This enables us to generate a huge amount of training
data in a fully automated manner. Among other experiments, we demonstrate the
potential of our approach by boosting the performance of three learned
confidence measures on the KITTI2012 dataset by simply training them on a vast
amount of automatically generated training data rather than a limited amount of
laser ground truth data.


title:
Spatial dependent spontaneous emission of an atom in a semi-infinite
  waveguide of rectangular cross section

abstract:
  We study a quantum electrodynamics (QED) system made of an two-level atom and
a semi-infinite rectangular waveguide, which behaves as a perfect mirror in one
end. The spatial dependence of the atomic spontaneous emission has been
included in the coupling strength relevant to the eigenmodes of the waveguide.
The role of retardation is studied for the atomic transition frequency far away
from the cutoff frequencies. The atom-mirror distance introduces different
phases and retardation times into the dynamics of the atom interacting
resonantly with the corresponding transverse modes. It is found that the upper
state population decreases from its initial as long as the atom-mirror distance
does not vanish, and is lowered and lowered when more and more transverse modes
are resonant with the atom. The atomic spontaneous emission can be either
suppressed or enhanced by adjusting the atomic location for short retardation
time. There are partial revivals and collapses due to the photon reabsorbed and
re-emitted by the atom for long retardation time.


title:
Interscale Mixing Microscopy: far field imaging beyond the diffraction
  limit

abstract:
  We present an analytical description and an experimental realization of
interscale mixing microscopy, a diffraction-based imaging technique that is
capable of detecting wavelength/10 objects in far-field measurements with both
coherent and incoherent broadband light. This method aims at recovering the
spatial spectrum of light diffracted by a subwavelength object based on
far-field measurements of the interference created by the object and a finite
diffraction grating. A single measurement, analyzing the multiple diffraction
orders, is often sufficient to determine the parameters of the object. The
presented formalism opens the door for spectroscopy of nanoscale objects in the
far-field.


title:
Lov\'{a}sz' original lower bound: Getting tighter bounds and Reducing
  computational complexity

abstract:
  In this article, we give conditions on a graph under which the Lov\'{a}sz'
original bound of the graph can be improved by increasing the topological
connectivity of its neighbourhood complex. We also work out conditions under
which computing the topological connectivity of hom complex of a pair of graphs
can be simplified. In particular, hom complex as a covariant functor acting on
a double mapping cylinder of graphs is a homotopy pushout of hom complex
functor applied to its subgraphs. We give applications of this result where the
computation of hom complexes is simplified. Finally, we explain why double
mapping cylinder of graphs does not give a satisfactory definition of homotopy
pushout in the category of graphs.


title: SU(2) Yang-Mills Theory: Waves, Particles, and Quantum Thermodynamics

abstract:
  We elucidate how Quantum Thermodynamics at temperature $T$ emerges from pure
and classical SU(2) Yang-Mills theory on a four-dimensional Euclidean spacetime
slice $S_1\times {\bf R}^3$. The concept of a (deconfining) thermal ground
state, composed of certain solutions to the fundamental, classical Yang-Mills
equation, allows for a unified addressation of both (classical) wave- and
(quantum) particle-like excitations thereof.


title:
Itinerant G-type antiferromagnetism in D0$_3$-type V$_3$Z (Z=Al, Ga, In)
  compounds: A first-principles study

abstract:
  Heusler compounds are widely studied due to their variety of magnetic
properties making them ideal candidates for spintronic and magnetoelectronic
applications. V$_3$Al in its metastable D0$_3$-type Heusler structure is a
prototype for a rare antiferromagnetic gapless behavior. We provide an
extensive study on the electronic and magnetic properties of V$_3$Al, V$_3$Ga
and V$_3$In compounds based on state-of-the-art electronic structure
calculations. We show that the ground state for all three is a G-type itinerant
antiferromagnetic gapless semiconductor. The large antiferromagnetic exchange
interactions lead to very high N\'eel temperatures, which are predicted to be
around 1000 K. The coexistence of the gapless and antiferromagnetic behaviors
in these compounds can be explained considering the simultaneous presence of
three V atoms at the unit cell using arguments which have been employed for
usual inverse Heusler compounds. We expect that our study on these compounds to
enhance further the interest on them towards the optimization of their growth
conditions and their eventual incorporation in devices.


title:
Decomposition of optical force into conservative and nonconservative
  components

abstract:
  We present a multipole expansion theory for optical force exerting on a
particle immersed in generic monochromatic free-space optical field. Based on
the theory, we have, for the first time, successfully decomposed the optical
force on a spherical particle of arbitrary size into a conservative and a
nonconservative parts, which are, respectively, written as a gradient of a
scalar function and curl of a vector function in an explicit and analytical
form. As a result, a scalar potential and a vector potential can be defined, up
to gauge freedoms, for the optical force. The decomposition shed light on the
understanding of the optical force and pave a new way to engineer optical force
for various purposes such as equilibrium statistical mechanics as well as
optical micromanipulation.


title:
Constraints on the architecture of the HD 95086 planetary system with
  the Gemini Planet Imager

abstract:
  We present astrometric monitoring of the young exoplanet HD 95086 b obtained
with the Gemini Planet Imager between 2013 and 2016. A small but significant
position angle change is detected at constant separation; the orbital motion is
confirmed with literature measurements. Efficient Monte Carlo techniques place
preliminary constraints on the orbital parameters of HD 95086 b. With 68%
confidence, a semimajor axis of 61.7^{+20.7}_{-8.4} au and an inclination of
153.0^{+9.7}_{-13.5} deg are favored, with eccentricity less than 0.21. Under
the assumption of a co-planar planet-disk system, the periastron of HD 95086 b
is beyond 51 au with 68% confidence. Therefore HD 95086 b cannot carve the
entire gap inferred from the measured infrared excess in the SED of HD 95086.
We use our sensitivity to additional planets to discuss specific scenarios
presented in the literature to explain the geometry of the debris belts. We
suggest that either two planets on moderately eccentric orbits or three to four
planets with inhomogeneous masses and orbital properties are possible. The
sensitivity to additional planetary companions within the observations
presented in this study can be used to help further constrain future dynamical
simulations of the planet-disk system.


title: Fast Fourier Transforms for Spherical Gauss-Laguerre Basis Functions

abstract:
  Spherical Gauss-Laguerre (SGL) basis functions, i.e., normalized functions of
the type $L_{n-l-1}^{(l + 1/2)} (r^2) r^{l} Y_{lm}(\vartheta,\varphi)$, $|m|
\leq l < n \in \mathbb{N}$, $L_{n-l-1}^{(l + 1/2)}$ being a generalized
Laguerre polynomial, $Y_{lm}$ a spherical harmonic, constitute an orthonormal
basis of the space $L^{2}$ on $\mathbb{R}^{3}$ with Gaussian weight
$\exp(-r^{2})$. These basis functions are used extensively, e.g., in
biomolecular dynamic simulations. However, to the present, there is no reliable
algorithm available to compute the Fourier coefficients of a function with
respect to the SGL basis functions in a fast way. This paper presents such
generalized FFTs. We start out from an SGL sampling theorem that permits an
exact computation of the SGL Fourier expansion of bandlimited functions. By a
separation-of-variables approach and the employment of a fast spherical Fourier
transform, we then unveil a general class of fast SGL Fourier transforms. All
of these algorithms have an asymptotic complexity of $\mathcal{O}(B^{4})$, $B$
being the respective bandlimit, while the number of sample points on
$\mathbb{R}^{3}$ scales with $B^{3}$. This clearly improves the naive bound of
$\mathcal{O}(B^{7})$. At the same time, our approach results in fast inverse
transforms with the same asymptotic complexity as the forward transforms. We
demonstrate the practical suitability of our algorithms in a numerical
experiment. Notably, this is one of the first performances of generalized FFTs
on a non-compact domain. We conclude with a discussion, including the layout of
a true $\mathcal{O}(B^{3} \log^{2} B)$ fast SGL Fourier transform and inverse,
and an outlook on future developments.


title:
Cosmic anisotropies from quasars: from polarization to structural-axis
  alignments

abstract:
  The comparison of the orientations of the optical-polarization vectors of
quasars that are separated by billions of light-years has led to the discovery
that they are aligned instead of pointing in random directions as expected.
This discovery has been confirmed and the significance of the correlations
enhanced. We devoted this doctoral thesis to an in-depth analysis of these
striking observations that imply Gpc-scale correlations. We developed a new and
independent statistical method which is dedicated to the study and the
characterization of the distribution of the orientations of vectorial
quantities that are perpendicular to the lines of sight of a set of sources
spread on the celestial sphere. This allowed us to confirm independently the
large-scale polarization-vector alignments and to refine the limits of the
alignment regions through an unbiased characterization of the signal. We also
provided a detailed analysis of a large sample of polarization measurements
made at radio wavelengths in which similar polarization-vector alignments are
found. The regions of alignments of the quasar-radio-polarization vectors are
found to be close to these of optical alignments. This might suggest that
quasar axes themselves could be aligned. Based on new observations, we further
analyzed the optical-polarization vectors of quasars that belong to two large
groups. Taking into account the link between the optical-polarization vectors
and the morphologies of the quasars, we found that the spin axes of the quasars
align with the axis of the large-quasar group to which they belong. We
reinforced our findings using radio-polarization data and a large sample of
large-quasar groups. We additionally found that the preferred orientations of
the quasar spin axes depend on the richness of their host groups.


title: 1.4-GHz observations of extended giant radio galaxies

abstract:
  This paper presents 1.4-GHz radio continuum observations of 15 very extended
radio galaxies. These sources are so large that most interferometers lose
partly their structure and total flux density. Therefore, single-dish
detections are required to fill in the central (u,v) gap of interferometric
data and obtain reliable spectral index patterns across the structures, and
thus also an integrated radio continuum spectrum. We have obtained such 1.4-GHz
maps with the 100-m Effelsberg telescope and combined them with the
corresponding maps available from the NVSS. The aggregated data allow us to
produce high-quality images, which can be used to obtain physical parameters of
the mapped sources. The combined images reveal in many cases extended low
surface-brightness cocoons.


title: Mass-loading of bow shock pulsar wind nebulae

abstract:
  We investigate the dynamics of bow shock nebulae created by pulsars moving
supersonically through a partially ionized interstellar medium. A fraction of
interstellar neutral hydrogen atoms penetrating into the tail region of a
pulsar wind will undergo photo-ionization due to the UV light emitted by the
nebula, with the resulting mass loading dramatically changing the flow dynamics
of the light leptonic pulsar wind. Using a quasi 1-D hydrodynamic model of
relativistic flow we find that if a relatively small density of neutral
hydrogen, as low as $10^{-4}$ cm$^{-3}$, penetrate inside the pulsar wind, this
is sufficient to strongly affect the tail flow. Mass loading leads to the fast
expansion of the pulsar wind tail, making the tail flow intrinsically
non-stationary. The shapes predicted for the bow shock nebulae compare well
with observations, both in H$\alpha$ and X-rays.


title:
ScribbleSup: Scribble-Supervised Convolutional Networks for Semantic
  Segmentation

abstract:
  Large-scale data is of crucial importance for learning semantic segmentation
models, but annotating per-pixel masks is a tedious and inefficient procedure.
We note that for the topic of interactive image segmentation, scribbles are
very widely used in academic research and commercial software, and are
recognized as one of the most user-friendly ways of interacting. In this paper,
we propose to use scribbles to annotate images, and develop an algorithm to
train convolutional networks for semantic segmentation supervised by scribbles.
Our algorithm is based on a graphical model that jointly propagates information
from scribbles to unmarked pixels and learns network parameters. We present
competitive object semantic segmentation results on the PASCAL VOC dataset by
using scribbles as annotations. Scribbles are also favored for annotating stuff
(e.g., water, sky, grass) that has no well-defined shape, and our method shows
excellent results on the PASCAL-CONTEXT dataset thanks to extra inexpensive
scribble annotations. Our scribble annotations on PASCAL VOC are available at
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/jifdai/downloads/scribble_sup


title:
Anisotropic magnetization relaxation in ferromagnetic multilayers with
  variable interlayer exchange coupling

abstract:
  The FMR linewidth and its anisotropy in F$_1$/f/F$_2$/AF multilayers, where
spacer f has a low Curie point compared to the strongly ferromagnetic F$_1$ and
F$_2$, is investigated. The role of the interlayer exchange coupling in
magnetization relaxation is determined experimentally by varying the thickness
of the spacer. It is shown that stronger interlayer coupling via thinner
spacers enhances the microwave energy exchange between the outer ferromagnetic
layers, with the magnetization of F$_2$ exchange-dragged by the resonance
precession in F$_1$. A weaker mirror effect is also observed: the magnetization
of F$_1$ can be exchange-dragged by the precession in F$_2$, which leads to
anti-damping and narrower FMR linewidths. A theory is developed to model the
measured data, which allows separating various contributions to the magnetic
relaxation in the system. Key physical parameters, such as the interlayer
coupling constant, in-plane anisotropy of the FMR linewidth, dispersion of the
magnetic anisotropy fields are quantified. These results should be useful for
designing high-speed magnetic nanodevices based on thermally-assisted
switching.


title:
Generation of concurrence between two qubits locally coupled to a one
  dimensional spin chain

abstract:
  We consider a generalized central spin model, consisting of two central
qubits and an environmental spin chain (with periodic boundary condition) to
which these central qubits are locally and weakly connected either at the same
site or at two different sites separated by a distance $d$. Our purpose is to
study the subsequent temporal generation of entanglement, quantified by
concurrence, when initially the qubits are in an unentangled state. In the
equilibrium situation, we show that the concurrence survives for a larger value
of $d$ when the environmental spin chain is critical. Importantly, a common
feature observed both in the equilibrium and the non-equilibrium situations
while the latter is created by a sudden but global change of the environmental
transverse field, is that the two qubits become maximally entangled for the
critical quenching. Following a non-equilibrium evolution of the spin chain,
our study for $d\neq 0$, indicates that there exists a threshold time above
which concurrence attains a finite value. Additionally, we show that the number
of independent decohering channels (DCs) is determined by $d$ as well as the
local difference of the transverse field of the two underlying Hamiltonians
governing the time evolution. The qualitatively similar behavior displayed by
the concurrence for critical and off-critical quenches, as reported here, is
characterized by analyzing the non-equilibrium evolution of these channels. The
concurrence is maximum when the decoherence factor or the echo associated with
the most rapidly DC decays to zero; on the contrary, the condition when the
concurrence vanishes is determined non-trivially by the associated decay of one
of the intermediate DCs. Analyzing the reduced density of a single qubit, we
also explain the observation that the dephasing rate is always slower than the
unentanglement rate.


title:
3-D axisymmetric subsonic flows with nonzero swirl for the compressible
  Euler-Poisson system

abstract:
  We address the structural stability of 3-D axisymmetric subsonic flows with
nonzero swirl for the steady compressible Euler-Poisson system in a cylinder
supplemented with non small boundary data. A special Helmholtz decomposition of
the velocity field is introduced for 3-D axisymmetric flow with a nonzero
swirl(=angular momentum density) component.
  With the newly introduced decomposition, a quasilinear elliptic system of
second order is derived from the elliptic modes in Euler-Poisson system for
subsonic flows. Due to the nonzero swirl, the main difficulties lie in the
solvability of a singular elliptic equation which concerns the angular
component of the vorticity in its cylindrical representation, and in analysis
of streamlines near the axis $r=0$.


title:
Families of Newton-like inequalities for sets of self-conjugate complex
  numbers

abstract:
  We derive families of Newton-like inequalities involving the elementary
symmetric functions of sets of self-conjugate complex numbers in the right
half-plane. These are the first known inequalities of this type which are
independent of the proximity of the complex numbers to the real axis.


title:
Frequency Comb Assisted Broadband Precision Spectroscopy with Cascaded
  Diode Lasers

abstract:
  Frequency comb assisted diode laser spectroscopy, employing both the accuracy
of an optical frequency comb and the broad wavelength tuning range of a tunable
diode laser, has been widely used in many applications. In this letter we
present a novel method using cascaded frequency agile diode lasers, which
allows extending the measurement bandwidth to 37.4 THz (1355 to 1630 nm) at MHz
resolution with scanning speeds above 1 THz/s. It is demonstrated as a useful
tool to characterize a broadband spectrum for molecular spectroscopy and in
particular it enables to characterize the dispersion of integrated
microresonators up to the fourth order.


title:
Equation of state for random sphere packing with arbitrary adhesion and
  friction

abstract:
  We systematically generate a large set of random micro-particle packings over
a wide range of adhesion and friction by means of adhesive contact dynamics
simulation. The ensemble of generated packings covers a range of volume
fraction $\phi$ from $0.135 \pm 0.007$ to $0.639 \pm 0.004$, and of
coordination number $Z$ from $2.11 \pm 0.03$ to $6.40 \pm 0.06$. We determine
$\phi$ and $Z$ at four limits (random close packing, random loose packing,
adhesive close packing, and adhesive loose packing), and find a universal
equation of state $\phi(Z)$ to describe packings with arbitrary adhesion and
friction. From a mechanical equilibrium analysis, we determine a critical
friction coefficient $\mu_{\rm f, c}$: when the friction coefficient $\mu_{\rm
f}$ is below $\mu_{\rm f, c}$, particles' rearrangements are dominated by
sliding, otherwise, they are dominated by rolling. Because of this reason, both
$\phi(\mu_{\rm f})$ and $Z(\mu_{\rm f})$ change sharply across $\mu_{\rm f,
c}$. Finally, we generalize the Maxwell counting argument to micro-particle
packings, and show that the loosest packing, i.e., adhesive loose packing,
satisfies the isostatic condition at $Z=2$.


title:
Towards an Appropriate Receiver Beamforming Scheme for Millimeter Wave
  Communication: A Power Consumption Based Comparison

abstract:
  At millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, beamforming and large antenna arrays
are an essential requirement to combat the high path loss for mmW
communication. Moreover, at these frequencies, very large bandwidths are
available to fulfill the data rate requirements of future wireless networks.
However, utilization of these large bandwidths and of large antenna arrays can
result in a high power consumption which is an even bigger concern for mmW
receiver design. In a mmW receiver, the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is
generally considered as the most power consuming block. In this paper,
primarily focusing on the ADC power, we analyze and compare the total power
consumption of the complete analog chain for Analog, Digital and Hybrid
beamforming (ABF, DBF and HBF) based receiver design. We show how power
consumption of these beamforming schemes varies with a change in the number of
antennas, the number of ADC bits (b) and the bandwidth (B). Moreover, we
compare low power (as in [1]) and high power (as in [2]) ADC models, and show
that for a certain range of number of antennas, b and B, DBF may actually have
a comparable and lower power consumption than ABF and HBF, respectively. In
addition, we also show how the choice of an appropriate beamforming scheme
depends on the signal-to-noise ratio regime.


title: Weighted $\beta\gamma$-summability of fuzzy functions of order $\theta$

abstract:
  The concept of weighted $\beta\gamma$ - summability of order $\theta$ in case
of fuzzy functions is introduced and classified into ordinary and absolute
sense. Several inclusion relations among the sets are investigated. Also we
have found some suitable conditions to get its relation with the generalized
statistical convergence. Finally we have proved a generalized version of
Tauberian theorem.


title: Photon gravitational defection in Lorentz violating scenarios

abstract:
  The effect of Lorentz symmetry violation in the phenomenon of photon
gravitational bending, is investigated. Using a semiclassical approach, where
the photon is described by the Carrol-Field-Jackiw (CFJ) electrodynamics which
is responsible for implementing the Lorentz symmetry violation, the
gravitational deflection angle related to the CFJ photon is computed. As
expected, this bending angle experiences a deviation from the usual Einstein
result and the latter is recovered in the appropriate limit. A comparison
between the theoretical prediction and the experimental results allows to
conclude that no trace of Lorentz symmetry breaking is found provided the
components of the background vector field are $\lesssim 10^{-8}$ eV.


title: Spaces of Goldberg type on certain measured metric spaces

abstract:
  In this paper we define a space $\ghu{M}$ of Hardy--Goldberg type on a
measured metric space satisfying some mild conditions. We prove that the dual
of $\ghu{M}$ may be identified with $\gbmo{M}$, a space of functions with
"local" bounded mean oscillation, and that if $p$ is in $(1,2)$, then $\lp{M}$
is a complex interpolation space between $\ghu{M}$ and $\ld{M}$. This extends
previous results of Strichartz, Carbonaro, Mauceri and Meda, and Taylor.
Applications to singular integral operators on Riemannian manifolds are given.


title: Large and moderate deviation principles for Engel continued fractions

abstract:
  Large and moderate deviation principles are proved for Engel continued
fractions, a new type of continued fraction expansion with non-decreasing
partial quotients in number theory.


title:
A size-independent law to describe the alignment of shape-anisotropic
  objects

abstract:
  A major challenge in the field of nanosciences is the assembly of anisotropic
nano objects into aligned structures. The way the objects are aligned
determines the physical properties of the final material. In this work, we take
a closer look at the shapes of orientation distributions of aligned anisotropic
nano and macro objects by examining previously published works. The data shows
that the orientation distribution shape of anisotropic objects aligned by
shearing and other commonly used methods varies size-independently between
Laplace and Gaussian depending on the distribution width and on the cohesivity
of the particles.


title:
Statistical approximation properties of (p, q)-Szasz-Mirakjan
  Kantorovich operators

abstract:
  The main aim of this study is to introduce statistical approximation
properties of (p; q)-Szasz Mirakjan Kantorovich operators with the help of the
Korovkin type statistical approximation theorem. Rates of statistical
convergence by means of the modulus of continuity and the Lipschitz type
maximal function are also established.


title: Local and global results for modified Sz\'{a}sz - Mirakjan operators

abstract:
  In this paper, we study a natural modification of Sz\'{a}sz - Mirakjan
operators. It is shown by discussing many important established results for
Sz\'{a}sz - Mirakjan operators. The results do hold for this modification as
well, be they local in nature or global, be they qualitative or quantitative.
It is also shown that this generalization is meaningful by means of examples
and graphical representations.


title: Magnetic Field Induced Shear Flow in a Strongly Coupled Complex Plasma

abstract:
  We address an experimental observation of shear flow of micron sized dust
particles in a strongly coupled complex plasma in presence of a homogeneous
magnetic field. Two concentric Aluminum rings of different size are placed on
the lower electrode of a radio frequency (rf) parallel plate discharge. The
modified local sheath electric field is pointing outward/inward close to the
inner/outher ring, respectively. The microparticles, confined by the rings and
subject to an ion wind that driven by the local sheath electric field and
deflected by an externally applied magnetic field, start flowing in azimuthal
direction. Depending upon the rf amplitudes on the electrodes, the dust layers
show rotation in opposite direction at the edges of the ring-shaped cloud
resulting a strong shear in its center. MD simulations shows a good agreement
with the experimental results.


title:
On magnetic monopoles, the anomalous g-factor of the electron and the
  spin-orbit coupling in the Dirac theory

abstract:
  We discuss the algebra and the interpretation of the anomalous Zeeman effect
and the spin-orbit coupling within the Dirac theory. Whereas the algebra for
the anomalous Zeeman effect is impeccable and therefore in excellent agreement
with experiment, the physical interpretation of that algebra uses images that
are based on macroscopic intuition but do not correspond to the meaning of this
algebra. The interpretation violates the Lorentz symmetry. We give an
alternative intuitive description of the meaning of this effect, which respects
the symmetry and is exact. It can be summarized by stating that a magnetic
field makes any charged particle spin. We show also that the traditional
discussion about magnetic monopoles confuses two issues, viz. the symmetry of
the Maxwell equations and the quantization of charge. These two issues define
each a different concept of magnetic monopole. They cannot be merged together
into a unique all-encompassing issue. We also generalize the minimal
substitution for a charged particle, and provide some intuition for the
magnetic vector potential. We finally explore the algebra of the spin-orbit
coupling, which turns out to be badly wrong. The traditional theory that is
claimed to reproduce the Thomas half is based on a number of errors. An
error-free application of the Dirac theory cannot account for the Thomas
precession, because it only accounts for the instantaneous local boosts, not
for the rotational component of the Lorentz transformation. This runs contrary
to established beliefs, but Thomas precession can be understood in terms of the
Berry phase on a path through the velocity space of the Lorentz group manifold.
These results clearly reveal the limitations of the prevailing working
philosophy to "shut up and calculate".


title: Visco-elastic effects in strongly coupled dusty plasmas

abstract:
  We report on experimental evidence of visco-elastic effects in a strongly
coupled dusty plasma through investigations of the propagation characteristics
of low frequency dust acoustic waves and by excitations of transverse shear
waves in a DC discharge Argon plasma.


title:
Kinematics of an Ideal Fluid into a Spatially Flat Anisotropic
  Axisymmetric Universe

abstract:
  The Standard Cosmological Model assumes that the Universe is, on average,
homogeneous and isotropic for large scales (z>1), but this principle has been
questioned from the results about Cosmic Microwave Background. This radiation
has anomalies that are not explained from the Standard Model, such as
temperature fluctuations in the order of 10-5K or aligning polar moments. These
anomalies could be explained by anisotropic cosmological models. We propose a
transformation to spherical coordinates considering different temporal scale
factors in the Cartesian axes, from which a reducible to flat spatial
Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker metric is obtained. In the model, we
consider the axisymmetric case and analyze the cinematic behavior of an ideal
fluid at rest.


title:
Unified Bessel, Modified Bessel, Spherical Bessel and Bessel-Clifford
  Functions

abstract:
  In the present paper, unification of Bessel, modified Bessel, spherical
Bessel and Bessel-Clifford functions via the generalized Pochhammer symbol [
Srivastava HM, Cetinkaya A, K{\i}ymaz O. A certain generalized Pochhammer
symbol and its applications to hypergeometric functions. Applied Mathematics
and Computation, 2014, 226 : 484-491] is defined. Several potentially useful
properties of the unified family such as generating function, integral
representation, Laplace transform and Mellin transform are obtained. Besides,
the unified Bessel, modified Bessel, spherical Bessel and Bessel-Clifford
functions are given as a series of Bessel functions. Furthermore, the
derivatives, recurrence relations and partial differential equation of the
so-called unified family are found. Moreover, the Mellin transform of the
products of the unified Bessel functions are obtained. Besides, a three-fold
integral representation is given for unified Bessel function. Some of the
results which are obtained in this paper are new and some of them coincide with
the known results in special cases.


title:
Derivation of Klein-Gordon-Fock equation from General relativity in a
  time-space symmetrical model

abstract:
  Following a bi-cylindrical model of geometrical dynamics, in the present
study we show that Einstein gravitational equation leads to bi-geodesic
description in an extended symmetrical time-space which fit Hubble expansion in
a "microscopic" cosmological model. As a duality, the geodesic solution is
mathematically equivalent to the basic Klein-Gordon-Fock equations of free
massive elementary particles, in particular, as the squared Dirac equations of
leptons and as a sub-solution with pseudo-axion. This result would serve an
explicit approach to consistency between quantum mechanics and general
relativity.


title: Classical-field theory of thermal radiation

abstract:
  In this paper, using the viewpoint that quantum mechanics can be constructed
as a classical field theory without any quantization I build a fully classical
theory of thermal radiation. Planck's law for the spectral energy density of
thermal radiation and the Einstein A-coefficient for spontaneous emission are
derived in the framework of classical field theory without using the concept of
"photon". It is shown that the spectral energy density of thermal radiation is
apparently not a universal function of frequency, as follows from the Planck's
law, but depends weakly on the nature of atoms, while Planck's law is valid
only as an approximation in the limit of weak excitation of atoms.


title:
Origin of Quantum Criticality in Yb-Al-Au Approximant Crystal and
  Quasicrystal

abstract:
  To get insight into the mechanism of emergence of unconventional quantum
criticality observed in quasicrystal Yb$_{15}$Al$_{34}$Au$_{51}$, the
approximant crystal Yb$_{14}$Al$_{35}$Au$_{51}$ is analyzed theoretically. By
constructing a minimal model for the approximant crystal, the heavy
quasiparticle band is shown to emerge near the Fermi level because of strong
correlation of 4f electrons at Yb. We find that charge-transfer mode between 4f
electron at Yb on the 3rd shell and 3p electron at Al on the 4th shell in
Tsai-type cluster is considerably enhanced with almost flat momentum
dependence. The mode-coupling theory shows that magnetic as well as valence
susceptibility exhibits $\chi\sim T^{-0.5}$ for zero-field limit and is
expressed as a single scaling function of the ratio of temperature to magnetic
field $T/B$ over four decades even in the approximant crystal when some
condition is satisfied by varying parameters, e.g., by applying pressure. The
key origin is clarified to be due to the strong locality of the critical
Yb-valence fluctuation and small Brillouin zone reflecting the large unit cell,
giving rise to the extremely-small characteristic energy scale. This also gives
a natural explanation for the quantum criticality in the quasicrystal
corresponding to the infinite limit of the unit-cell size.