title: Numerical invariants and moduli spaces for line arrangements

abstract:
  Using several numerical invariants, we study a partition of the space of line
arrangements in the complex projective plane, given by the intersection lattice
types. We offer also a new characterization of the free plane curves using the
Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity of the associated Milnor/Jacobian algebra.


title: Distances from the vertices of a regular simplex

abstract:
  If $S$ is a given regular $d$-simplex of edge length $a$ in the
$d$-dimensional Euclidean space $\mathcal{E}$, then the distances $t_1$,
$\cdots$, $t_{d+1}$ of an arbitrary point in $\mathcal{E}$ to the vertices of
$S$ are related by the elegant relation $$(d+1)\left(
a^4+t_1^4+\cdots+t_{d+1}^4\right)=\left( a^2+t_1^2+\cdots+t_{d+1}^2\right)^2.$$
The purpose of this paper is to prove that this is essentially the only
relation that exists among $t_1,\cdots,t_{d+1}.$ The proof uses tools from
analysis, algebra, and geometry.


title:
Systematic Mapping Protocol: Have Systematic Reuse Benefits Been
  Transferred to Real-world Settings?

abstract:
  This document details the planning phase of a Systematic Mapping Study. Our
goal is to identify and to understand the benefits that the software
engineering community has reported on the application of the different reuse
strategies in industrial context, by building a general picture (map)
containing: the claimed benefits, the data supporting those claims, the
industry's domains and the reuse strategy employed.


title:
High Chern number topological superfluids and new class of topological
  phase transitions of Rashba spin-orbit coupled fermions on a lattice

abstract:
  Searching for the first topological superfluid (TSF) remains a primary goal
of modern science. Here we study the system of attractively interacting
fermions hopping in a square lattice with any linear combinations of Rashba or
Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in a normal Zeeman field. By imposing
self-consistence equations at half filling, we find there are 3 phases: Band
insulator ( BI ), Superfluid (SF) and Topological superfluid (TSF) with a Chern
number $ C=2 $. The $ C=2 $ TSF happens in small Zeeman fields and weak
interactions which is in the experimentally most easily accessible regime. The
transition from the BI to the SF is a first order one due to the multi-minima
structure of the ground state energy landscape. There is a new class of
topological phase transition from the SF to the $ C=2 $ TSF at the low critical
field $ h_{c1} $, then another one from the $ C=2 $ TSF to the BI at the upper
critical field $ h_{c2} $. We derive effective actions to describe the two new
classes of topological phase transitions, then use them to study the Majorana
edge modes and the zero modes inside the vortex core of the $ C=2 $ TSF near
both $ h_{c1} $ and $ h_{c2} $, especially explore their spatial and spin
structures. We find the edge modes decay into the bulk with oscillating
behaviors and determine both the decay and oscillating lengths. We compute the
bulk spectra and map out the Berry Curvature distribution in momentum space
near both $ h_{c1} $ and $ h_{c2} $. We also elaborate some intriguing
bulk-Berry curvature-edge-vortex correspondences. Experimental implications in
both 2d non-centrosymmetric materials under a periodic substrate and cold atoms
in an optical lattice are given.


title: Phenomenological signatures of mixed complex scalar WIMP dark matter

abstract:
  We discuss phenomenological aspects of models whose scalar sector is extended
by an isospin doublet scalar and a complex singlet scalar as an effective
theory of supersymmetric models with mixed sneutrinos. In such models, the
lighter of the mixed neutral scalars can become a viable dark matter candidate
by imposing a U(1) symmetry. We find that the thermal WIMP scenario is
consistent with the cosmological dark matter abundance when the mass of the
scalar is half of that of the discovered Higgs boson or larger than around 100
GeV. We also point out that, with an additional isospin singlet Majorana
fermion mediator, even the mass of the scalar WIMP less than around 5 GeV is
compatible with the observed dark matter abundance. We show that such
cosmologically allowed regions can be explored at future collider experiments
and dark matter detections.


title:
Heterodimer binding scaffolds recognition via the analysis of
  kinetically hot residues

abstract:
  Physical interactions between proteins are often difficult to decipher. The
aim of this paper is to present an algorithm designed to recognize binding
patches and supporting structural scaffolds of interacting heterodimer protein
chains using the Gaussian Network Model (GNM). The recognition is based on the
(self)adjustable identification of kinetically hot residues, i.e., residues
with highest contributions to the weighted sum of fastest modes per chain
extracted via GNM, and their connection to possible binding scaffolds. The
algorithm adjusts the number of modes used in the GNM's weighted sum
calculation using the ratio of predicted and expected numbers of target
residues (contact and first layer residues). This approach produces very good
results when applied to chains forming heterodimers, especially with dimers
with high chain length ratios. The protocol's ability to recognize near native
decoys was compared to the ability of the statistical potential of Lu and
Skolnick using the Sternberg and Vakser decoy dimers sets. The statistical
potential produced better overall results, but in a number of cases its
predicting ability was comparable, or even worse than the ability of the
adjustable GNM approach. The results presented in this paper suggest that in
heterodimers, at least one partnering chain has interacting scaffold determined
by the immovable kinetically hot residues. In many cases interacting chains
(especially if being of noticeably different sizes), either behave as rigid
lock and key, or exhibit opposite dynamic behaviors. While the binding surface
of one of the chains is rigid and stable, its partner's interacting scaffold is
more flexible and adaptable.
  Authors note: The approach described here was initially given as a rough
draft in 2013 [1]. The next manuscript will describe the behavior of protein
dimers incorrectly characterized with the present approach.


title: New Bi-Gravities

abstract:
  We show that the problem of ghosts in critical gravity and its higher
dimensional extensions can be resolved by giving dynamics to the symmetric rank
two auxiliary field existing in the action of these theories. These New
Bi-Gravities, at linear level around the AdS vacuum, are free of Boulware-Deser
ghost, kinetic ghost and tachyonic instability within the particular range of
parameters. Moreover, we show that the energy and entropy of AdS-Schwarzschild
black hole solutions of these new models are positive in the same range of
parameters. This may be the sign that these new models are also free of ghost
instabilities at the non-linear level.


title: Nonstoquastic Hamiltonians and Quantum Annealing of an Ising Spin Glass

abstract:
  We study the role of Hamiltonian complexity in the performance of quantum
annealers. We consider two general classes of annealing Hamiltonians:
stoquastic ones, which can be simulated efficiently using the quantum Monte
Carlo algorithm, and nonstoquastic ones, which cannot be treated efficiently.
We implement the latter by adding antiferromagnetically coupled two-spin driver
terms to the traditionally studied transverse-field Ising model, and compare
their performance to that of similar stoquastic Hamiltonians with
ferromagnetically coupled additional terms. We focus on a model of long-range
Ising spin glass as our problem Hamiltonian and carry out the comparison
between the annealers by numerically calculating their success probabilities in
solving random instances of the problem Hamiltonian in systems of up to 17
spins. We find that, for a small percentage of mostly harder instances,
nonstoquastic Hamiltonians greatly outperform their stoquastic counterparts and
their superiority persists as the system size grows. We conjecture that the
observed improved performance is closely related to the frustrated nature of
nonstoquastic Hamiltonians.


title:
Biologically inspired force enhancement for maritime propulsion and
  maneuvering

abstract:
  The move to high performance applications greatly increases the demand to
produce large instantaneous fluid forces for high-speed maneuvering and
improved power efficiency for sustained propulsion. Animals achieve remarkable
feats of maneuvering and efficiency by changing their body shape to generate
unsteady fluid forces. Inspired by this, we have studied a range of immersed
bodies which drastically change their shape to produce fluid forces. These
include relatively simple shape- changes, such as quickly changing the angle of
attack of a foil to induce emergency stops and the use of tandem flapping foils
to generate three times the average propulsive force of a single flapping foil.
They also include more unconventional shape-changes such as high-speed
retracting foil sections to power roll and dive maneuvers and the use of soft
robotics to rapidly shrink the frontal area of an ellipsoid to power 68%
efficient fast-start maneuvers or even completely cancel the drag force with
91% quasi-propulsive efficiency. These systems have been investigated with
analytics, experimental measurements and immersed-boundary numerical
simulations.


title:
The Optional Prisoner's Dilemma in a Spatial Environment: Coevolving
  Game Strategy and Link Weights

abstract:
  In this paper, the Optional Prisoner's Dilemma game in a spatial environment,
with coevolutionary rules for both the strategy and network links between
agents, is studied. Using a Monte Carlo simulation approach, a number of
experiments are performed to identify favourable configurations of the
environment for the emergence of cooperation in adverse scenarios. Results show
that abstainers play a key role in the protection of cooperators against
exploitation from defectors. Scenarios of cyclic competition and of full
dominance of cooperation are also observed. This work provides insights towards
gaining an in-depth understanding of the emergence of cooperative behaviour in
real-world systems.


title: Bivariate Covariance Functions of P\'olya Type

abstract:
  We provide sufficient conditions of P\'olya type which guarantee the positive
definiteness of a $2\times 2$-matrix-valued function in $\mathbb{R}$ and
$\mathbb{R}^3$. Several bivariate covariance models have been proposed in
literature, where all components of the covariance matrix are of the same
parametric family, such as the bivariate Mat\'{e}rn model. Based on the P\'olya
type conditions, we introduce two novel bivariate parametric covariance models
of this class, the powered exponential (or stable) covariance model and the
generalized Cauchy covariance model. Both models allow for flexible smoothness,
variance, scale, and cross-correlation parameters. The smoothness parameters
are in $(0, 1]$. Additionally, the bivariate generalized Cauchy model allows
for distinct long range parameters. We also show that the univariate spherical
model can be generalized to the bivariate case within the above class only in a
trivial way. In a data example on the content of copper and zinc in the top
soil of Swiss Jura we compare the bivariate powered exponential model to the
traditional linear model of coregionalization and the bivariate Mat\'{e}rn
model.


title: Global anomalies on Lorentzian space-times

abstract:
  We formulate an algebraic criterion for the presence of global anomalies on
globally hyperbolic space-times in the framework of locally covariant field
theory. We discuss some consequences and check that it reproduces the
well-known global $SU(2)$ anomaly in four space-time dimensions.


title: Quadratic forms representing all integers coprime to 3

abstract:
  Following Bhargava and Hanke's celebrated 290-theorem, we prove a
universality theorem for all positive-definite integer-valued quadratic forms
that represent all positive integers coprime to $3$. In particular, if a
positive-definite quadratic form represents all positive integers coprime to
$3$ and $\leq 290$, then it represents all positive integers coprime to $3$. We
use similar methods to those used by Rouse to prove (assuming GRH) that a
positive-definite quadratic form representing every odd integer between $1$ and
$451$ represents all positive odd integers.


title:
ESR study of atomic hydrogen and tritium in solid T$_{2}$ and
  T$_{2}$:H$_{2}$ matrices below 1K

abstract:
  We report on the first ESR study of atomic hydrogen and tritium stabilized in
a solid T$_{2}$ and T$_{2}$:H$_{2}$ matrices down to 70$\,$mK. The
concentrations of T atoms in pure T$_{2}$ approached $2\times10^{20}$cm$^{-3}$
and record-high concentrations of H atoms $\sim1\times10^{20}$cm$^{-3}$ were
reached in T$_{2}$:H$_{2}$ solid mixtures where a fraction of T atoms became
converted into H due to the isotopic exchange reaction T+H$_2\rightarrow$TH+H.
The maximum concentrations of unpaired T and H atoms was limited by their
recombination which becomes enforced by efficient atomic diffusion due to a
presence of a large number of vacancies and phonons generated in the matrices
by $\beta$-particles. Recombination also appeared in an explosive manner both
being stimulated and spontaneously in thick films where sample cooling was
insufficient. We suggest that the main mechanism for H and T migration is
physical diffusion related to tunneling or hopping to vacant sites in contrast
to isotopic chemical reactions which govern diffusion of H and D atoms created
in H$_{2}$ and D$_{2}$ matrices by other methods.


title: Cayley graphs with metric dimension two - A characterization

abstract:
  In this paper, we study the metric dimension of Cayley graphs. Specially, we
present a complete characterization of Cayley graphs on Abelian groups whose
metric dimension is two.


title:
Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking and Decoherence in Chaotic Dirac
  Billiards

abstract:
  In this work, we perform a statistical study on Dirac Billiards in the
extreme quantum limit (a single open channel on the leads). Our numerical
analysis uses a large ensemble of random matrices and demonstrates the
preponderant role of dephasing mechanisms in such chaotic billiards. Physical
implementations of these billiards range from quantum dots of graphene to
topological insulators structures. We show, in particular, that the role of
finite crossover fields between the universal symmetries quickly leaves the
conductance to the asymptotic limit of unitary ensembles. Furthermore, we show
that the dephasing mechanisms strikingly lead Dirac billiards from the extreme
quantum regime to the semiclassical Gaussian regime.


title: Kibble-Zurek scaling in the Yang-Lee edge singularity

abstract:
  We study the driven dynamics across the critical points of the Yang-Lee edge
singularities (YLESes) in a finite-size quantum Ising chain with an imaginary
symmetry-breaking field. In contrast to the conventional classical or quantum
phase transitions, these phase transitions are induced by tuning the strength
of the dissipation in a non-Hermitian system and can occur even at finite size.
For conventional phase transitions, universal behaviors in driven dynamics
across critical points are usually described by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism,
which states that the scaling in dynamics is dictated by the critical exponents
associated with one critical point and topological defects will emerge after
the quench. While the mechanism leading to topological defects breaks down in
the YLES, we find that for small lattice size, the driven dynamics can still be
described by the Kibble-Zurek scaling with the exponents determined by the
$(0+1)$-dimensional YLES. For medium finite size, however, the driven dynamics
can be described by the Kibble-Zurek scaling with two sets of critical
exponents determined by both the $(0+1)$-dimensional and the
$(1+1)$-dimensional YLESes.


title:
On the Mathematical Relationship between Expected n-call@k and the
  Relevance vs. Diversity Trade-off

abstract:
  It has been previously noted that optimization of the n-call@k relevance
objective (i.e., a set-based objective that is 1 if at least n documents in a
set of k are relevant, otherwise 0) encourages more result set diversification
for smaller n, but this statement has never been formally quantified. In this
work, we explicitly derive the mathematical relationship between expected
n-call@k and the relevance vs. diversity trade-off --- through fortuitous
cancellations in the resulting combinatorial optimization, we show the
trade-off is a simple and intuitive function of n (notably independent of the
result set size k e n), where diversification increases as n approaches 1.


title: Exact classical Doppler effect derived from the photon emission process

abstract:
  The concept of photon is not necessary only applied to the relativistic
Doppler theory. It may also work well for classical theory. As conservation of
momentum and energy are physical laws, if applying these laws gives the exact
relativistic Doppler effect, it should also give the exact classical Doppler
effect. So far the classical Doppler effect is only obtained by using some
approximation, as derived by Fermi in 1932. We show that the exact classical
Doppler effect can be derived from the photon emission process in the exact
treatment and reveal that these results are the same as those derived from the
wave theory of light.


title:
Imbalanced-learn: A Python Toolbox to Tackle the Curse of Imbalanced
  Datasets in Machine Learning

abstract:
  Imbalanced-learn is an open-source python toolbox aiming at providing a wide
range of methods to cope with the problem of imbalanced dataset frequently
encountered in machine learning and pattern recognition. The implemented
state-of-the-art methods can be categorized into 4 groups: (i) under-sampling,
(ii) over-sampling, (iii) combination of over- and under-sampling, and (iv)
ensemble learning methods. The proposed toolbox only depends on numpy, scipy,
and scikit-learn and is distributed under MIT license. Furthermore, it is fully
compatible with scikit-learn and is part of the scikit-learn-contrib supported
project. Documentation, unit tests as well as integration tests are provided to
ease usage and contribution. The toolbox is publicly available in GitHub:
https://github.com/scikit-learn-contrib/imbalanced-learn.


title:
Magnetic Brane of Cubic Quasi-Topological Gravity in the Presence of
  Maxwell and Born-Infeld Electromagnetic Field

abstract:
  The main purpose of the present paper is analyzing magnetic brane solutions
of cubic quasi-topological gravity in the presence of a linear electromagnetic
Maxwell field and a nonlinear electromagnetic Born-Infeld field. We show that
the mentioned magnetic solutions have no curvature singularity and also no
horizons, but we observe that there is a conic geometry with a related deficit
angle. We obtain the metric function and deficit angle and consider their
behavior. We show that the attributes of our solution are dependent on cubic
quasi-topological coefficient and the Gauss-Bonnet parameter.


title: Quantum State Effusion

abstract:
  I give a scientific perspective, with a personal emphasis, on the seminal
1992 paper, "The quantum-state diffusion model applied to open systems", by
Gisin and Percival.


title: Unknotting submanifolds of the 3-sphere by twistings

abstract:
  By the Fox's re-embedding theorem, any compact submanifold of the 3-sphere
can be re-embedded in the 3-sphere so that it is unknotted. It is unknown
whether the Fox's re-embedding can be replaced with twistings. In this paper,
we will show that any closed 2-manifold embedded in the 3-sphere can be
unknotted by twistings. In spite of this phenomenon, we show that there exists
a compact 3-submanifold of the 3-sphere which cannot be unknotted by twistings.
This shows that the Fox's re-embedding cannot always be replaced with
twistings.


title: Delayed Random Relays

abstract:
  We present here a system with collection of random walks relaying a signal in
one dimension in the presence of delays. We are interested in the time for a
signal to travel from one end (start) to the other end (finish) of the lined
group of random walkers. The delay is introduced at the point when the signal
is transferred from each walker to the next one. It is found that there is an
optimal number of walkers for the signal to travel fastest when delays are
present. We discuss implications of this model and associated behaviors to
physical and biological systems.


title:
Theoretical Evaluation of Feature Selection Methods based on Mutual
  Information

abstract:
  Feature selection methods are usually evaluated by wrapping specific
classifiers and datasets in the evaluation process, resulting very often in
unfair comparisons between methods. In this work, we develop a theoretical
framework that allows obtaining the true feature ordering of two-dimensional
sequential forward feature selection methods based on mutual information, which
is independent of entropy or mutual information estimation methods,
classifiers, or datasets, and leads to an undoubtful comparison of the methods.
Moreover, the theoretical framework unveils problems intrinsic to some methods
that are otherwise difficult to detect, namely inconsistencies in the
construction of the objective function used to select the candidate features,
due to various types of indeterminations and to the possibility of the entropy
of continuous random variables taking null and negative values.


title: Convergence of dual ascent in non-convex/non-differentiable optimization

abstract:
  We revisit the classical dual ascent algorithm for minimization of convex
functionals in the presence of linear constraints, and give convergence results
which apply even for non-convex functionals. We describe limit points in terms
of the convex envelope. We also introduce a new augmented version, which is
shown to have superior convergence properties, and provide new results even for
convex but non-differentiable objective functionals (as well as non-convex).
  The results are applied to low rank approximation of a given matrix, subject
to linear constraints. In particular, letting the linear constraints enforce
Hankel structure of the respective matrices, the algorithms can be applied to
complex frequency estimation. We provide numerical tests in this setting.


title:
Semi-supervised knowledge extraction for detection of drugs and their
  effects

abstract:
  New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are drugs that lay in a grey area of
legislation, since they are not internationally and officially banned, possibly
leading to their not prosecutable trade. The exacerbation of the phenomenon is
that NPS can be easily sold and bought online. Here, we consider large corpora
of textual posts, published on online forums specialized on drug discussions,
plus a small set of known substances and associated effects, which we call
seeds. We propose a semi-supervised approach to knowledge extraction, applied
to the detection of drugs (comprising NPS) and effects from the corpora under
investigation. Based on the very small set of initial seeds, the work
highlights how a contrastive approach and context deduction are effective in
detecting substances and effects from the corpora. Our promising results, which
feature a F1 score close to 0.9, pave the way for shortening the detection time
of new psychoactive substances, once these are discussed and advertised on the
Internet.


title:
Twitter Opinion Topic Model: Extracting Product Opinions from Tweets by
  Leveraging Hashtags and Sentiment Lexicon

abstract:
  Aspect-based opinion mining is widely applied to review data to aggregate or
summarize opinions of a product, and the current state-of-the-art is achieved
with Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA)-based model. Although social media data
like tweets are laden with opinions, their "dirty" nature (as natural language)
has discouraged researchers from applying LDA-based opinion model for product
review mining. Tweets are often informal, unstructured and lacking labeled data
such as categories and ratings, making it challenging for product opinion
mining. In this paper, we propose an LDA-based opinion model named Twitter
Opinion Topic Model (TOTM) for opinion mining and sentiment analysis. TOTM
leverages hashtags, mentions, emoticons and strong sentiment words that are
present in tweets in its discovery process. It improves opinion prediction by
modeling the target-opinion interaction directly, thus discovering target
specific opinion words, neglected in existing approaches. Moreover, we propose
a new formulation of incorporating sentiment prior information into a topic
model, by utilizing an existing public sentiment lexicon. This is novel in that
it learns and updates with the data. We conduct experiments on 9 million tweets
on electronic products, and demonstrate the improved performance of TOTM in
both quantitative evaluations and qualitative analysis. We show that
aspect-based opinion analysis on massive volume of tweets provides useful
opinions on products.


title: BASIC INVARIANTS of Geometric Mappings

abstract:
  This study is motivated by the researches in the field of invariants of
geodesic and conformal mappings presented in (T. Y. Thomas, [22]) and (H. Weyl,
[25]). The Thomas projective parameter and the Weyl projective tensor are
generalized in this article. Generators for vector spaces of invariants of
geometric mappings are obtained in here.


title:
Thermodynamics of a charged particle in a noncommutative plane in a
  background magnetic field

abstract:
  Landau system in noncommutative space has been considered. To take into
account the issue of gauge invariance in noncommutative space, we incorporate
the Seiberg-Witten map in our analysis. Generalised Bopp-shift transformation
is then used to map the noncommutative system to its commutative equivalent
system. In particular we have computed the partition function of the system and
from this we obtained the susceptibility of the Landau system and found that
the result gets modified by the spatial noncommutative parameter $\theta$. We
also investigate the de Hass--van Alphen effect in noncommutative space and
observe that the oscillation of the magnetization and the susceptibility gets
noncommutative corrections. Interestingly, the susceptibility in the
noncommutative scenario is non-zero in the range of the magnetic field greater
than the threshold value which is in contrast to its commutative counterpart.
The results obtained are valid upto all orders in the noncommutative parameter
$\theta$.


title: Freedom of h(2)-variationality and metrizability of sprays

abstract:
  In this paper we are investigating variational homogeneous second order
differential equations by considering the questions of how many different
variational principles exist for a given spray. We focus our attention on
h(2)-variationality; that is, the regular Lagrange function is homogeneous of
degree two in the directional argument. Searching for geometric objects
characterizing the degree of freedom of h(2)-variationality of a spray, we show
that the holonomy distribution generated by the tangent direction to the
parallel translations can be used to calculate it. As a working example, the
class of isotropic sprays is considered.


title: Privacy-Friendly Mobility Analytics using Aggregate Location Data

abstract:
  Location data can be extremely useful to study commuting patterns and
disruptions, as well as to predict real-time traffic volumes. At the same time,
however, the fine-grained collection of user locations raises serious privacy
concerns, as this can reveal sensitive information about the users, such as,
life style, political and religious inclinations, or even identities. In this
paper, we study the feasibility of crowd-sourced mobility analytics over
aggregate location information: users periodically report their location, using
a privacy-preserving aggregation protocol, so that the server can only recover
aggregates -- i.e., how many, but not which, users are in a region at a given
time. We experiment with real-world mobility datasets obtained from the
Transport For London authority and the San Francisco Cabs network, and present
a novel methodology based on time series modeling that is geared to forecast
traffic volumes in regions of interest and to detect mobility anomalies in
them. In the presence of anomalies, we also make enhanced traffic volume
predictions by feeding our model with additional information from correlated
regions. Finally, we present and evaluate a mobile app prototype, called
Mobility Data Donors (MDD), in terms of computation, communication, and energy
overhead, demonstrating the real-world deployability of our techniques.


title:
Revealing Structure in Large Graphs: Szemer\'edi's Regularity Lemma and
  its Use in Pattern Recognition

abstract:
  Introduced in the mid-1970's as an intermediate step in proving a
long-standing conjecture on arithmetic progressions, Szemer\'edi's regularity
lemma has emerged over time as a fundamental tool in different branches of
graph theory, combinatorics and theoretical computer science. Roughly, it
states that every graph can be approximated by the union of a small number of
random-like bipartite graphs called regular pairs. In other words, the result
provides us a way to obtain a good description of a large graph using a small
amount of data, and can be regarded as a manifestation of the all-pervading
dichotomy between structure and randomness. In this paper we will provide an
overview of the regularity lemma and its algorithmic aspects, and will discuss
its relevance in the context of pattern recognition research.


title:
Hawking-like radiation and the density matrix for an infalling observer
  during gravitational collapse

abstract:
  We study time-dependant Hawking-like radiation as seen by an infalling
observer during gravitational collapse of a thin shell. We calculate the
occupation number of particles whose frequencies are measured in the proper
time of an infalling observer in Eddington-Finkelstein coordinates. We solve
the equations for the whole process from the beginning of the collapse till the
moment when the collapsing shell reaches zero radius. The radiation
distribution is not thermal in the whole frequency regime, but it is
approximately thermal for the wavelengths of the order of the Schwarzschild
radius of the collapsing shell. After the Schwarzschild radius is crossed, the
temperature increases without limits as the singularity is approached. We also
calculate the density matrix associated with this radiation. It turns out that
the off-diagonal correlation terms to the diagonal Hawking's leading order
terms are very important. While the trace of the diagonal (Hawking's) density
matrix squared decreases during the evolution, the trace of the total density
matrix squared remains unity at all times and all frequencies.


title: Image Denoising via Multi-scale Nonlinear Diffusion Models

abstract:
  Image denoising is a fundamental operation in image processing and holds
considerable practical importance for various real-world applications. Arguably
several thousands of papers are dedicated to image denoising. In the past
decade, sate-of-the-art denoising algorithm have been clearly dominated by
non-local patch-based methods, which explicitly exploit patch self-similarity
within image. However, in recent two years, discriminatively trained local
approaches have started to outperform previous non-local models and have been
attracting increasing attentions due to the additional advantage of
computational efficiency. Successful approaches include cascade of shrinkage
fields (CSF) and trainable nonlinear reaction diffusion (TNRD). These two
methods are built on filter response of linear filters of small size using feed
forward architectures. Due to the locality inherent in local approaches, the
CSF and TNRD model become less effective when noise level is high and
consequently introduces some noise artifacts. In order to overcome this
problem, in this paper we introduce a multi-scale strategy. To be specific, we
build on our newly-developed TNRD model, adopting the multi-scale pyramid image
representation to devise a multi-scale nonlinear diffusion process. As
expected, all the parameters in the proposed multi-scale diffusion model,
including the filters and the influence functions across scales, are learned
from training data through a loss based approach. Numerical results on Gaussian
and Poisson denoising substantiate that the exploited multi-scale strategy can
successfully boost the performance of the original TNRD model with single
scale. As a consequence, the resulting multi-scale diffusion models can
significantly suppress the typical incorrect features for those noisy images
with heavy noise.


title:
Rotating systems, universal features in dragging and anti-dragging
  effects, and bounds onto angular momentum

abstract:
  We consider stationary, axially symmetric toroids rotating around spinless
black holes, assuming the general-relativistic Keplerian rotation law, in the
first post-Newtonian approximation. Numerical investigation shows that the
angular momentum accumulates almost exclusively within toroids. It appears that
various types of dragging (anti-dragging) effects are positively correlated
with the ratio $M_\mathrm{D}/m$ ($M_\mathrm{D}$ is the mass of a toroid and $m$
is the mass of the black hole) - moreover, their maxima are proportional to
$M_\mathrm{D}/m$. The horizontal sizes of investigated toroids range from c. 50
to c. 450 of Schwarzschild radii $R_\mathrm{S}$ of the central black hole;
their mass $M_\mathrm{D} \in (10^{-4}m, 40m)$ and the radial size of the system
is c. 500 $R_\mathrm{S}$. We found that the relative strength of various
dragging (anti-dragging) effects does not change with the mass ratio, but it
depends on the size of toroids. Several isoperimetric inequalities involving
angular momentum are shown to hold true.


title:
Comment on "On Uniqueness of SDE Decomposition in A-type Stochastic
  Integration" [arXiv:1603.07927v1]

abstract:
  The uniqueness issue of SDE decomposition theory proposed by Ao and his
co-workers has recently been discussed. A comprehensive study to investigate
connections among different landscape theories [J. Chem. Phys. 144, 094109
(2016)] has pointed out that the decomposition is generally not unique, while
Ao et al. (arXiv:1603.07927v1) argues that such conclusions are "incorrect"
because of the missing boundary conditions. In this comment, we will combine
literatures research and concrete examples to show that the concrete and
effective boundary conditions have not been proposed to guarantee the
uniqueness, hence the arguments in [arXiv:1603.07927v1] are not sufficient.
Moreover, we show that the "uniqueness" of the O-U process decomposition
referred by YTA paper is unable to serve as a counterexample to ZL's result
since additional assumptions have been made implicitly beyond the original SDE
decomposition framework, which cannot be applied to general nonlinear cases.
Some other issues such as the failure of gradient expansion method will also be
discussed. Our demonstration contributes to better understanding of the
relevant papers as well as the SDE decomposition theory.

categories: cond-mat.stat-mech math-ph math.MP q-bio.MN


title: Higher order divisor problems

abstract:
  An asymptotic formula is proved for the k-fold divisor function averaged over
homogeneous polynomials of degree k in k-1 variables coming from incomplete
norm forms.


title: Note on the flux for TASEP with general disorder

abstract:
  Extending results of Bahadoran and Bodineau we show that the flux rate of
TASEP with independent and identically distributed disorder always has a
plateau of densities around $\frac12$.


title: Search for Cosmic Particles with the Moon and LOFAR

abstract:
  The low flux of the ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR) at the highest
energies provides a challenge to answer the long standing question about their
origin and nature. A significant increase in the number of detected UHECR is
expected to be achieved by employing Earth's moon as detector, and search for
short radio pulses that are emitted when a particle interacts in the lunar
rock. Observation of these short pulses with current and future radio
telescopes also allows to search for the even lower fluxes of neutrinos with
energies above $10^{22}$ eV, that are predicted in certain
Grand-Unifying-Theories (GUTs), and e.g. models for super-heavy dark matter
(SHDM). In this contribution we present the initial design for such a search
with the LOFAR radio telescope.


title:
FaceNet2ExpNet: Regularizing a Deep Face Recognition Net for Expression
  Recognition

abstract:
  Relatively small data sets available for expression recognition research make
the training of deep networks for expression recognition very challenging.
Although fine-tuning can partially alleviate the issue, the performance is
still below acceptable levels as the deep features probably contain redun- dant
information from the pre-trained domain. In this paper, we present
FaceNet2ExpNet, a novel idea to train an expression recognition network based
on static images. We first propose a new distribution function to model the
high-level neurons of the expression network. Based on this, a two-stage
training algorithm is carefully designed. In the pre-training stage, we train
the convolutional layers of the expression net, regularized by the face net; In
the refining stage, we append fully- connected layers to the pre-trained
convolutional layers and train the whole network jointly. Visualization shows
that the model trained with our method captures improved high-level expression
semantics. Evaluations on four public expression databases, CK+, Oulu-CASIA,
TFD, and SFEW demonstrate that our method achieves better results than
state-of-the-art.


title:
Phenomenology of Enhanced Light Quark Yukawa Couplings and the $W^\pm h$
  Charge Asymmetry

abstract:
  I propose the measurement of the $W^\pm h$ charge asymmetry as a consistency
test for the Standard Model (SM) Higgs, which is sensitive to enhanced Yukawa
couplings of the first and second generation quarks. I present a collider
analysis for the charge asymmetry in the same-sign lepton final state, $p p \to
W^\pm h \to (\ell^\pm \nu) (\ell^\pm \nu jj)$, aimed at discovery significance
for the SM $W^\pm h$ production mode in each charge channel with 300 fb$^{-1}$
of 14 TeV LHC data. Using this decay mode, I estimate the statistical precision
on the charge asymmetry should reach 0.4\% with 3 ab$^{-1}$ luminosity,
enabling a strong consistency test of the SM Higgs hypothesis. I also discuss
direct and indirect constraints on light quark Yukawa couplings from direct and
indirect probes of the Higgs width as well as Tevatron and Large Hadron
Collider Higgs data. While the main effect from enhanced light quark Yukawa
couplings is a rapid increase in the total Higgs width, such effects could be
mitigated in a global fit to Higgs couplings, leaving the $W^\pm h$ charge
asymmetry as a novel signature to test directly the Higgs couplings to light
quarks.


title: Charge transfer at organic-inorganic interfaces

abstract:
  We studied the electron transfer from excitons in adsorbed indoline dye
layers across the organic-inorganic interface. The hybrids consist of indoline
derivatives on the one hand and different inorganic substrates (TiO$_2$, ZnO,
SiO$_2$(0001), fused silica) on the other. We reveal the electron transfer
times from excitons in dye layers to the organic-inorganic interface by
analyzing the photoluminescence transients of the dye layers after femtosecond
excitation and applying kinetic model calculations. A correlation between the
transfer times and four parameters have been found:(i) the number of anchoring
groups, (ii) the distance between the dye and the organic-inorganic interface,
which was varied by the alkyl-chain lengths between the carboxylate anchoring
group and the dye, (iii) the thickness of the adsorbed dye layer, and (iv) the
level alignment between the excited dye ($\pi$*-level) and the conduction band
minimum of the inorganic semiconductor.


title:
Fragmentation Functions of neutral mesons $\pi^0$ and $k ^0$ with
  Laplace transform approach

abstract:
  With an analytical solutions of DGLAP evolution equations based on the
Laplace transform method , we find the fragmentation functions (FFs) of neutral
mesons, $\pi^0$ and $k ^0$ at NLO approximation. We also calculated the total
fragmentation functions of these mesons and compared them with experimental
data and those from global fits. The results show a good agreements between our
solutions and other models and also are compatible with experimental data.


title:
Searching for twins of the V1309 Sco progenitor system: a selection of
  long-period contact binaries

abstract:
  The only well-studied red nova progenitor (V1309 Sco) was a contact binary
with a 1.4-day period. The prospects for searching for similar systems, as well
as stellar merger candidates in general, are explored in this work. The
photospheric temperatures of 128 variables with periods P = 1.1 - 1.8 d
classified as W UMa-type binaries are calculated using their colors listed in
the SDSS catalog. A selection of 15 contact binaries with similar temperatures
and periods as the V1309 Sco progenitor is thus compiled. The Kepler Eclipsing
Binary Catalog is used to analyse systems with eclipse timing variations (ETV)
possibly caused by changes of the orbital period. Out of the 31 systems with
parabolic ETV curves listed by Conroy et al. (2014, AJ, 147, 45) two could be
contact binaries with a decreasing period and, therefore, potential stellar
merger candidates. Out of the 569 contact binaries in the OGLE field analysed
by Kubiak et al. (2006, AcA, 56, 253) 14 systems have periods longer than 0.8 d
and a statistically significant period decrease.


title:
Theoretical prediction of MoN2 monolayer as a high capacity electrode
  material for metal ion batteries

abstract:
  Benefited from the advantages on environmental benign, easy purification, and
high thermal stability, the recently synthesized two-dimensional (2D) material
MoN2 shows great potential for clean and renewable energy applications. Here,
through first-principles calculations, we show that the monolayered MoN2 is
promising to be a high capacity electrode material for metal ion batteries.
Firstly, identified by phonon dispersion and exfoliation energy calculations,
MoN2 monolayer is proved to be structurally stable and could be exfoliated from
its bulk counterpart in experiments. Secondly, all the studied metal atoms (Li,
Na and K) can be adsorbed on MoN2 monolayer, with both pristine and doped MoN2
being metallic. Thirdly, the metal atoms possess moderate/low migration
barriers on MoN2, which ensures excellent cycling performance as a battery
electrode. In addition, the calculated average voltages suggest that MoN2
monolayer is suitable to be a cathode for Li-ion battery and anodes for Na-ion
and K-ion batteries. Most importantly, as a cathode for Li-ion battery, MoN2
possesses a comparable average voltage but a 1-2 times larger capacity (432 mA
h g-1) than usual commercial cathode materials; as an anode for Na-ion battery,
the theoretical capacity (864 mA h g-1) of MoN2 is 2-5 times larger than
typical 2D anode materials such as MoS2 and most MXenes. Finally we also
provide an estimation of capacities for other transition-metal dinitrides
materials. Our work suggests that the transition-metal dinitrides MoN2 is an
appealing 2D electrode materials with high storage capacities.


title: On a quantum phase transition in a steady state out of equilibrium

abstract:
  Within the rigorous axiomatic framework for the description of quantum
mechanical systems with a large number of degrees of freedom, we show that the
nonequilibrium steady state, constructed in the quasifree fermionic system
corresponding to the isotropic XY chain in which a finite sample, coupled to
two thermal reservoirs at different temperatures, is exposed to a local
external magnetic field, is breaking translation invariance and exhibits a
strictly positive entropy production rate. Moreover, we prove that there exists
a second-order nonequilibrium quantum phase transition with respect to the
strength of the magnetic field as soon as the system is truly out of
equilibrium.


title: Initial conditions for the Galileon dark energy

abstract:
  Galileon models are among the most appealing candidates for Dark Energy. The
reason is twofold: classically, they provide a tracking solution leading to an
almost DeSitter space starting from very generic initial conditions in the deep
radiation era. The second reason is the standard lore that Galileons are
quantum mechanically stable. The latter property is certainly true in flat
space-time, thanks to the non-renormalization theorems of galilean coupling
constants. However, in a cosmological background, we show that quantum effects
might dominate the classical trajectory. Assuming the radiation era to last at
least up to the electroweak phase transition, the trajectory with initial
conditions sitting on the tracker is ruled out. On the other hand, it is always
possible to find a sub-space of initial conditions such that the dark energy
solution approaches stably the tracker at late times. Fixing the value of
initial conditions that best fit current data, and assuming that the galileon
effective theory is valid up to the beginning of the radiation epoch, we found
that the reheating temperature of the universe cannot be larger than $10^8 \
{\rm GeV}$. Reversing the argument, if dark energy will turn out to be in form
of Galileons, the bounds by EUCLID on the initial conditions for these models
will also be a bound on the reheating temperature of our Universe.


title: On the category of finitely generated free groups

abstract:
  It is well known that the opposite F^{op} of the category F of finitely
generated free groups is a Lawvere theory for groups, and also that F is a free
symmetric monoidal category on a commutative Hopf monoid, or, in other words, a
PROP for commutative Hopf algebras. In this paper, we give a direct,
combinatorial proof of the latter fact, without using Lawvere theories.


title: A Small Note About Lower Bound of Eigenvalues

abstract:
  This paper gives a framework to produce the lower bound of eigenvalues
defined in a Hilbert space by the eigenvalues defined in another Hilbert space.
The method is based on using the max-min principle for the eigenvalue problems.


title: Positive cones on algebras with involution

abstract:
  We introduce positive cones on algebras with involution. These allow us to
prove analogues of Artin's solution to Hilbert's 17th problem, the
Artin-Schreier theorem characterizing formally real fields, and to define
signatures with respect to positive cones. We consider the space of positive
cones of an algebra with involution and investigate its topological properties,
showing in particular that it is a spectral space. As an application we solve
the problem of the existence of positive involutions.


title: Age dependence of wind properties for solar type stars: a 3d study

abstract:
  Young and rapidly rotating stars are known for intense, dynamo generated
magnetic fields. Spectropolarimetric observations of those stars in precisely
aged clusters are key input for gyrochronology and magnetochronology. We use
ZDI maps of several young K-type stars of similar mass and radius but with
various ages and rotational periods, to perform 3D numerical MHD simulations of
their coronae and follow the evolution of their magnetic properties with age.
Those simulations yield the coronal structure as well as the instant torque
exerted by the magnetized, rotating wind on the star. As stars get older, we
find that the angular momentum loss decreases with $\Omega^3$, which is the
reason for the convergence on the Skumanich law. For the youngest stars of our
sample, the angular momentum loss show signs of saturation around
$8\Omega_{\odot}$, which is a common value used in spin evolution models for
K-type stars. We compare these results to semi-analytical models and existing
braking laws. We observe a complex wind speed distribution for the youngest
stars with slow, intermediate and fast wind components, which are the result of
the interaction with intense and non axisymmetric magnetic fields.
Consequently, in our simulations, the stellar wind structure in the equatorial
plane of young stars varies significantly from a solar configuration,
delivering insight about the past of the solar system interplanetary medium.


title:
Towards nonaxisymmetry; initial results using the Flux Coordinate
  Independent method in BOUT++

abstract:
  Fluid simulation of stellarator edge transport is difficult due to the
complexities of mesh generation; the stochastic edge and strong nonaxisymmetry
inhibit the use of field aligned coordinate systems. The recent implementation
of the Flux Coordinate Independent method for calculating parallel derivatives
in BOUT++ has allowed for more complex geometries. Here we present initial
results of nonaxisymmetric diffusion modelling as a step towards stellarator
turbulence modelling. We then present initial (non-turbulent) transport
modelling using the FCI method and compare the results with analytical
calculations. The prospects for future stellarator transport and turbulence
modelling are discussed.


title:
Improving analytical tomographic reconstructions through consistency
  conditions

abstract:
  This work introduces and characterizes a fast parameterless filter based on
the Helgason-Ludwig consistency conditions, used to improve the accuracy of
analytical reconstructions of tomographic undersampled datasets. The filter,
acting in the Radon domain, extrapolates intermediate projections between those
existing. The resulting sinogram, doubled in views, is then reconstructed by a
standard analytical method. Experiments with simulated data prove that the
peak-signal-to-noise ratio of the results computed by filtered backprojection
is improved up to 5-6 dB, if the filter is used prior to reconstruction.


title: Towers of regular self-covers and linear endomorphisms of tori

abstract:
  Let $M$ be a closed manifold that admits a self-cover $p:M \to M$ of degree
>1. We say p is strongly regular if all its iterates are regular covers. In
this case, we establish an algebraic structure theorem for the fundamental
group of $M$: We prove that $\pi_1(M)$ surjects onto a nontrivial free abelian
group $A$, and the self-cover is induced by a linear endomorphism of $A$. Under
further hypotheses we show that a finite cover of $M$ admits the structure of a
principal torus bundle. We show that this applies when $M$ is K\"ahler and $p$
is a strongly regular, holomorphic self-cover, and prove that a finite cover
splits as a product with a torus factor.


title: Cohomology of rotational tiling spaces

abstract:
  A spectral sequence is defined which converges to the \v{C}ech cohomology of
the Euclidean hull of a tiling of the plane with Euclidean finite local
complexity. The terms of the second page are determined by the so-called ePE
homology and ePE cohomology groups of the tiling, and the only potentially
non-trivial boundary map has a simple combinatorial description in terms of its
local patches. Using this spectral sequence, we compute the \v{C}ech cohomology
of the Euclidean hull of the Penrose tilings.


title:
Creating spin-one fermions in the presence of artificial spin-orbit
  fields: Emergent spinor physics and spectroscopic properties

abstract:
  We propose the creation and investigation of a system of spin-one fermions in
the presence of artificial spin-orbit coupling, via the interaction of three
hyperfine states of fermionic atoms to Raman laser fields. We explore the
emergence of spinor physics in the Hamiltonian described by the interaction
between light and atoms, and analyze spectroscopic properties such as
dispersion relation, Fermi surfaces, spectral functions, spin-dependent
momentum distributions and density of states. Connections to spin-one bosons
and SU(3) systems is made, as well relations to the Lifshitz transition and
Pomeranchuk instability are presented.


title: Streamwise localization of traveling wave solutions in channel flow

abstract:
  Channel flow of an incompressible fluid at Reynolds numbers above 2400
possesses a number of different spatially localized solutions that approach
laminar flow far upstream and downstream. We use one such relative
time-periodic solution, which corresponds to a spatially localized version of a
Tollmien-Schlichting wave, to illustrate how the upstream and downstream
asymptotics can be computed analytically. In particular, we show that for these
spanwise uniform states the asymptotics predict the exponential localization
that has been observed for numerically computed solutions of several canonical
shear flows but never properly understood theoretically.


title: Holographic Quantum Entanglement Negativity

abstract:
  We advance a holographic conjecture for the entanglement negativity of
bipartite quantum states in $(1+1)$-dimensional conformal field theories in the
$AdS_3/CFT_2$ framework. Our conjecture exactly reproduces the replica
technique results in the large central charge limit, for both the pure state
described by the $CFT_{1+1}$ vacuum dual to bulk the pure $AdS_3$ geometry and
the finite temperature mixed state dual to a Euclidean BTZ black hole
respectively. The holographic entanglement negativity characterizes the
distillable entanglement and reduces to a specific sum of holographic mutual
informations. We briefly allude to a possible higher dimensional generalization
of our conjecture in a generic $AdS_{d+1}/CFT_{d}$ scenario.


title:
Developing an integrated concept for the E-ELT Multi-Object Spectrograph
  (MOSAIC): design issues and trade-offs

abstract:
  We present a discussion of the design issues and trade-offs that have been
considered in putting together a new concept for MOSAIC, the multi-object
spectrograph for the E-ELT. MOSAIC aims to address the combined science cases
for E-ELT MOS that arose from the earlier studies of the multi-object and
multi-adaptive optics instruments. MOSAIC combines the advantages of a
highly-multiplexed instrument targeting single-point objects with one which has
a more modest multiplex but can spatially resolve a source with high resolution
(IFU). These will span across two wavebands: visible and near-infrared.


title:
A Search for Mass Loss on the Cepheid Instability Strip using HI 21-cm
  Line Observations

abstract:
  We present the results of a search for HI 21-cm line emission from the
circumstellar environments of four Galactic Cepheids (RS Pup, X Cyg, $\zeta$
Gem, and T Mon) based on observations with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array.
The observations were aimed at detecting gas associated with previous or
ongoing mass loss. Near the long-period Cepheid T Mon, we report the detection
of a partial shell-like structure whose properties appear consistent with
originating from an earlier epoch of Cepheid mass loss. At the distance of T
Mon, the nebula would have a mass (HI+He) of $\sim0.5M_{\odot}$, or $\sim$6\%
of the stellar mass. Assuming that one-third of the nebular mass comprises
swept-up interstellar gas, we estimate an implied mass-loss rate of ${\dot
  M}\sim (0.6-2)\times10^{-5} M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$. No clear signatures of
circumstellar emission were found toward $\zeta$ Gem, RS Pup, or X Cyg,
although in each case, line-of-sight confusion compromised portions of the
spectral band. For the undetected stars, we derive model-dependent $3\sigma$
upper limits on the mass-loss rates, averaged over their lifetimes on the
instability strip, of $<(0.3-6)\times10^{-6} M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ and estimate
the total amount of mass lost to be less than a few per cent of the stellar
mass.


title: Multimedia Communication Quality Assessment Testbeds

abstract:
  We make an intensive use of multimedia frameworks in our research on modeling
the perceived quality estimation in streaming services and real-time
communications. In our preliminary work, we have used the VLC VOD software to
generate reference audiovisual files with various degree of coding and network
degradations. We have successfully built machine learning based models on the
subjective quality dataset we have generated using these files. However,
imperfections in the dataset introduced by the multimedia framework we have
used prevented us from achieving the full potential of these models.
  In order to develop better models, we have re-created our end-to-end
multimedia pipeline using the GStreamer framework for audio and video
streaming. A GStreamer based pipeline proved to be significantly more robust to
network degradations than the VLC VOD framework and allowed us to stream a
video flow at a loss rate up to 5\% packet very easily. GStreamer has also
enabled us to collect the relevant RTCP statistics that proved to be more
accurate than network-deduced information. This dataset is free to the public.
The accuracy of the statistics eventually helped us to generate better
performing perceived quality estimation models.
  In this paper, we present the implementation of these VLC and GStreamer-based
multimedia communication quality assessment testbeds with the references to
their publicly available code bases.


title: Affine PBW Bases and Affine MV polytopes

abstract:
  We show how affine PBW bases can be used to construct affine MV polytopes,
and that the resulting objects agree with the affine MV polytopes recently
constructed using either preprojective algebras or KLR algebras. To do this we
first generalize work of Beck-Chari-Pressley and Beck-Nakajima to define affine
PBW bases for arbitrary convex orders on positive roots. Our results describe
how affine PBW bases for different convex orders are related, answering a
question posed by Beck and Nakajima.


title:
Temperature profile and boundary conditions in an anomalous heat
  transport model

abstract:
  A framework for studying the effect of the coupling to the heat bath in
models exhibiting anomalous heat conduction is described. The framework is
applied to the harmonic chain with momentum exchange model where the
non-trivial temperature profile is calculated. In this approach one first uses
the hydrodynamic (HD) equations to calculate the equilibrium current-current
correlation function in large but finite chains, explicitly taking into account
the BCs resulting from the coupling to the heat reservoirs. Making use of a
linear response relation, the anomalous conductivity exponent $\alpha$ and an
integral equation for the temperature profile are obtained. The temperature
profile is found to be singular at the boundaries with an exponent which varies
continuously with the coupling to the heat reservoirs expressed by the BCs. In
addition, the relation between the harmonic chain and a system of
noninteracting L{\'e}vy walkers is made explicit, where different BCs of the
chain correspond to different reflection coefficients of the L{\'e}vy
particles.


title: Orthogonality and parallelism of operators on various Banach spaces

abstract:
  We present some properties of orthogonality and relate them with support
disjoint and norm inequalities in p Schatten ideals. In addition, we
investigate the problem of characterization of norm parallelism for bounded
linear operators. We consider the characterization of norm parallelism problem
in p Schatten ideals and locally uniformly convex spaces. Later on, we study
the case when an operator is norm parallel to the identity operator. Finally,
we give some equivalence assertions about the norm parallelism of compact
operators. Some applications and generalizations are discussed for certain
operators.


title:
Gov2Vec: Learning Distributed Representations of Institutions and Their
  Legal Text

abstract:
  We compare policy differences across institutions by embedding
representations of the entire legal corpus of each institution and the
vocabulary shared across all corpora into a continuous vector space. We apply
our method, Gov2Vec, to Supreme Court opinions, Presidential actions, and
official summaries of Congressional bills. The model discerns meaningful
differences between government branches. We also learn representations for more
fine-grained word sources: individual Presidents and (2-year) Congresses. The
similarities between learned representations of Congresses over time and
sitting Presidents are negatively correlated with the bill veto rate, and the
temporal ordering of Presidents and Congresses was implicitly learned from only
text. With the resulting vectors we answer questions such as: how does Obama
and the 113th House differ in addressing climate change and how does this vary
from environmental or economic perspectives? Our work illustrates
vector-arithmetic-based investigations of complex relationships between word
sources based on their texts. We are extending this to create a more
comprehensive legal semantic map.


title:
Smoothed isotonic estimators of a monotone baseline hazard in the Cox
  model

abstract:
  We consider the smoothed maximum likelihood estimator and the smoothed
Grenander-type estimator for a monotone baseline hazard rate $\lambda_0$ in the
Cox model. We analyze their asymptotic behavior and show that they are
asymptotically normal at rate $n^{m/(2m+1)}$, when~$\lambda_0$ is $m\geq 2$
times continuously differentiable, and that both estimators are asymptotically
equivalent. Finally, we present numerical results on pointwise confidence
intervals that illustrate the comparable behavior of the two methods.


title:
A new approach to low-distortion embeddings of finite metric spaces into
  non-superreflexive Banach spaces

abstract:
  The main goal of this paper is to develop a new embedding method which we use
to show that some finite metric spaces admit low-distortion embeddings into all
non-superreflexive spaces. This method is based on the theory of
equal-signs-additive sequences developed by Brunel and Sucheston (1975-1976).
We also show that some of the low-distortion embeddability results obtained
using this method cannot be obtained using the method based on the
factorization between the summing basis and the unit vector basis of $\ell_1$,
which was used by Bourgain (1986) and Johnson and Schechtman (2009).


title: Some remarks on the Lipschitz regularity of Radon transforms

abstract:
  A set in the Euclidean plane is constructed whose image under the classical
Radon transform is Lipschitz in every direction. It is also shown that, under
mild hypotheses, for any such set the function which maps a direction to the
corresponding Lipschitz constant cannot be bounded.


title:
Existence of global weak solutions for the
  Navier-Stokes-Vlasov-Boltzmann equations

abstract:
  A moderately thick spray can be described by a coupled system of equations
consisting of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations and the
Vlasov-Boltzmann equation. We investigate this kind of mathematical model in
this paper. In particular, we study the initial value problem for the
Navier-Stokes-Vlasov-Boltzmann equations. The existence of global weak
solutions is established by a weak convergence method.
  The interesting point of our main result is to handle the model with some
breakup effects while the velocity of particles is in the whole space.


title: Global Iwasawa-decomposition of SL($n$, $\mathbb{A}_{\mathbb{Q}}$)

abstract:
  We discuss the Iwasawa-decomposition of a general matrix in SL($n$,
$\mathbb{Q}_p$) and SL($n$, $\mathbb{R}$). For SL($n$, $\mathbb{Q}_p$) we
define an algorithm for computing a complete Iwasawa-decomposition and give a
formula parameterizing the full family of decompositions. Furthermore, we prove
that the $p$-adic norms of the coordinates on the Cartan torus are unique
across all decompositions and give a closed formula for them which is proven
using induction. For the case SL($n$, $\mathbb{R}$), the decomposition is
unique and we give formulae for the complete decomposition which are also
proven inductively. Lastly we outline a method for deriving the norms of the
coordinates on the Cartan torus in the framework of representation theory. This
yields a simple formula valid globally which expresses these norms in terms of
the vector norms of generalized Pl\"ucker coordinates.


title: An Analysis of Introductory Programming Courses at UK Universities

abstract:
  Context: In the context of exploring the art, science and engineering of
programming, the question of which programming languages should be taught first
has been fiercely debated since computer science teaching started in
universities. Failure to grasp programming readily almost certainly implies
failure to progress in computer science. Inquiry: What first programming
languages are being taught? There have been regular national-scale surveys in
Australia and New Zealand, with the only US survey reporting on a small subset
of universities. This the first such national survey of universities in the UK.
Approach: We report the results of the first survey of introductory programming
courses (N=80) taught at UK universities as part of their first year computer
science (or related) degree programmes, conducted in the first half of 2016. We
report on student numbers, programming paradigm, programming languages and
environment/tools used, as well as the underpinning rationale for these
choices. Knowledge: The results in this first UK survey indicate a dominance of
Java at a time when universities are still generally teaching students who are
new to programming (and computer science), despite the fact that Python is
perceived, by the same respondents, to be both easier to teach as well as to
learn. Grounding: We compare the results of this survey with a related survey
conducted since 2010 (as well as earlier surveys from 2001 and 2003) in
Australia and New Zealand. Importance: This survey provides a starting point
for valuable pedagogic baseline data for the analysis of the art, science and
engineering of programming, in the context of substantial computer science
curriculum reform in UK schools, as well as increasing scrutiny of teaching
excellence and graduate employability for UK universities.


title: Axion mediated photon to dark photon mixing

abstract:
  The interaction between the dark/mirror sector and the ordinary sector is
considered, where the two sectors interact with each other by sharing the same
QCD axion field. This feature makes the mixing between ordinary and dark/mirror
photons in ordinary and dark electromagnetic fields possible. Perturbative
solutions of the equations of motion describing the evolution of fields in
ordinary and dark external magnetic fields are found. User-friendly quantities
such as transition probability rates and Stokes parameters are derived.
Possible astrophysical and cosmological applications of this model are
suggested.


title: Galilean invariant resummation schemes of cosmological perturbations

abstract:
  Many of the methods proposed so far to go beyond Standard Perturbation Theory
break invariance under time-dependent boosts (denoted here as extended Galilean
Invariance, or GI). This gives rise to spurious large scale effects which spoil
the small scale predictions of these approximation schemes. By using
consistency relations we derive fully non-perturbative constraints that GI
imposes on correlation functions. We then introduce a method to quantify the
amount of GI breaking of a given scheme, and to correct it by properly tailored
counterterms. Finally, we formulate resummation schemes which are manifestly
GI, discuss their general features, and implement them in the so called
Time-Flow, or TRG, equations.


title:
Catalytic mechanism of LENR in quasicrystals based on localized
  anharmonic vibrations and phasons

abstract:
  Quasicrystals (QCs) are a novel form of matter, which are neither crystalline
nor amorphous. Among many surprising properties of QCs is their high catalytic
activity. We propose a mechanism explaining this peculiarity based on unusual
dynamics of atoms at special sites in QCs, namely, localized anharmonic
vibrations (LAVs) and phasons. In the former case, one deals with a large
amplitude (~ fractions of an angstrom) time-periodic oscillations of a small
group of atoms around their stable positions in the lattice, known also as
discrete breathers, which can be excited in regular crystals as well as in QCs.
On the other hand, phasons are a specific property of QCs, which are
represented by very large amplitude (~angstrom) oscillations of atoms be-tween
two quasi-stable positions determined by the geometry of a QC. Large amplitude
atomic motion in LAVs and phasons results in time-periodic driving of adjacent
potential wells occupied by hydrogen ions (protons or deuterons) in case of
hydrogenated QCs. This driving may result in the increase of amplitude and
energy of zero-point vibrations (ZPV). Based on that, we demonstrate a drastic
increase of the D-D or D-H fusion rate with increasing number of modulation
periods evaluated in the framework of Schwinger model, which takes into account
suppression of the Coulomb barrier due to lattice vibrations. In this context,
we present numerical solution of Schrodinger equation for a particle in a
non-stationary double well potential, which is driven time-periodically
imitating the action of a LAV or phason. We show that the rate of tunneling of
the particle through the potential barrier separating the wells is enhanced
drastically by the driving, and it increases strongly with increasing amplitude
of the driving. These results support the concept of nuclear catalysis in QCs
that can take place at special sites provided by their inherent topology.


title: Arm events in two-dimensional invasion percolation

abstract:
  We compare the probabilities of arm events in two-dimensional invasion
percolation to those in critical percolation. Arm events are defined by the
existence of a prescribed color sequence of invaded and non-invaded connections
from the origin to distance n. We find that, for sequences of a particular
form, arm probabilities in invasion percolation and critical percolation are
comparable, uniformly in n, while they differ by a power of n for all others. A
corollary of our results is the existence, on the triangular lattice, of arm
exponents for invasion percolation, for any color sequence with at least two
open (invaded) entries.


title: How round are the complementary components of planar Brownian motion?

abstract:
  Consider a Brownian motion $W$ in ${\bf C}$ started from $0$ and run for time
1. Let $A(1),A(2),\dots$ denote the bounded connected components of ${\bf
C}-W([0,1])$. Let $R(i)$ (resp. $r(i)$) denote the out-radius (resp. in-radius)
of $A(i)$ for $i\in\bf N$. Our main result is that ${\bf E}[\sum_i R(i)^2|\log
R(i)|^\theta ]<\infty$ for any $\theta<1$. We also prove that $\sum_i
r(i)^2|\log r(i)|=\infty$ almost surely. These results have the interpretation
that most of the components $A(i)$ have a rather regular or round shape.


title:
Programming quantum computers using 3-D puzzles, coffee cups, and
  doughnuts

abstract:
  The task of programming a quantum computer is just as strange as quantum
mechanics itself. But it now looks like a simple 3D puzzle may be the future
tool of quantum software engineers.


title:
Beer-brewing powered by controlled hydrodynamic cavitation: Theory and
  real-scale experiments

abstract:
  The basic beer-brewing industrial practices have barely changed over time.
While well proven and stable, they have been refractory to substantial
innovation. Technologies harnessing hydrodynamic cavitation have emerged since
the 1990s' in different technical fields including the processing of liquid
foods, bringing in advantages such as acceleration of extraction processes,
disinfection and energy efficiency. Nevertheless, so far beer-brewing processes
were not investigated. The impacts of controlled hydrodynamic cavitation,
managed by means of a dedicated unit on a real microbrewery scale (230 L), on
the beer-brewing processes is the subject of this paper. The physico-chemical
features of the obtained products, analyzed by means of professional
instruments, were compared with both literature data and data from the outcomes
of a traditional equipment. Traditional processes such as dry milling of malts
and wort boiling becoming entirely unnecessary, dramatic reduction of
saccharification temperature, acceleration and increase of starch extraction
efficiency, relevant energy saving, while retaining safety, reliability,
scalability, virtually universal application to any brewing recipe, beer
quality, were the most relevant experimental results. The impacts of these
findings are potentially far reaching, beer being the worldwide most widely
consumed alcoholic beverage, therefore highly relevant to health, environment,
the economy and even to local identities.


title: No-hole $\lambda$-$L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling for Square Grid

abstract:
  Given a fixed $k$ $\in$ $\mathbb{Z}^+$ and $\lambda$ $\in$ $\mathbb{Z}^+$,
the objective of a $\lambda$-$L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling of a graph $G$
is to assign non-negative integers (known as labels) from the set $\{0, \ldots,
\lambda-1\}$ to the vertices of $G$ such that the adjacent vertices receive
values which differ by at least $k$, vertices connected by a path of length two
receive values which differ by at least $k-1$, and so on. The vertices which
are at least $k+1$ distance apart can receive the same label. The smallest
$\lambda$ for which there exists a $\lambda$-$L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling
of $G$ is known as the $L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling number of $G$ and is
denoted by $\lambda_k(G)$. The ratio between the upper bound and the lower
bound of a $\lambda$-$L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling is known as the
approximation ratio. In this paper a lower bound on the value of the labeling
number for square grid is computed and a formula is proposed which yields a
$\lambda$-$L(k, k-1, \ldots, 2, 1)$-labeling of square grid, with approximation
ratio at most $\frac{9}{8}$. The labeling presented is a no-hole one, i.e., it
uses each label from $0$ to $\lambda-1$ at least once.


title:
Measurement of the running of the fine structure constant below 1 GeV
  with the KLOE Detector

abstract:
  We have measured the running of the effective QED coupling constant
$\alpha(s)$ in the time-like region $0.6<\sqrt s< 0.975$ GeV with the KLOE
detector at DA$\Phi$NE using the Initial State Radiation process
$e^+e^-\to\mu^+ \mu^-\gamma$. It represents the first measurement of the
running of $\alpha(s)$ in this energy region. Our results show a more than
5$\sigma$ significance of the hadronic contribution to the running of
$\alpha(s)$, which is the strongest direct evidence both in time- and
space-like regions achieved in a single measurement. By using the
$e^+e^-\to\pi^+\pi^-$ cross section measured by KLOE, the real and imaginary
part of the shift $\Delta\alpha(s)$ has been extracted. By a fit of the real
part of $\Delta\alpha(s)$ and assuming the lepton universality the branching
ratio $BR(\omega\to\mu^+\mu^-) = (6.6\pm1.4_{stat}\pm1.7_{syst})\cdot 10^{-5} $
has been determined.


title: 5G Converged Cell-less Communications in Smart Cities

abstract:
  Ubiquitous information service converged by different types of heterogeneous
networks is one of fundamental functions for smart cities. Considering the
deployment of 5G ultra-dense wireless networks, the 5G converged cell-less
communication networks are proposed to support mobile terminals in smart
cities. To break obstacles of heterogeneous wireless networks, the 5G converged
cell-less communication network is vertically converged in different tiers of
heterogeneous wireless networks and horizontally converged in celled
architectures of base stations/access points. Moreover, the software defined
network controllers are configured to manage the traffic scheduling and
resource allocation in 5G converged cell-less communication networks.
Simulation results indicate the coverage probability and the energy saving at
both base stations and mobile terminals are improved by the cooperative
grouping scheme in 5G converged cell-less communication networks.


title:
Fast calculation of two-electron-repulsion integrals: a numerical
  approach

abstract:
  An alternative methodology to evaluate two-electron-repulsion integrals based
on numerical approximation is proposed. Computational chemistry has branched
into two major fields with methodologies based on quantum mechanics and
classical force fields. However, there are significant shadowy areas not
covered by any of the available methods. Many relevant systems are often too
big for traditional quantum chemical methods while being chemically too complex
for classical force fields. Examples include systems in nanomedicine, studies
of metalloproteins, etc. There is an urgent need to develop fast quantum
chemical methods able to study large and complex systems. This work is a
proof-of-concept on the numerical techniques required to develop accurate and
computationally efficient algorithms for the fast calculation of
electron-repulsion integrals, one of the most significant bottlenecks in the
extension of quantum chemistry to large systems. All concepts and calculations
were developed for the three-center integral (pxApxB|pxCpxC) with all atoms
being carbon. Starting with the analytical formulae, convenient decompositions
were tested to provide smooth two-dimensional surfaces that were easily fitted.
The approximating algorithm consisted of a multilayered approach based on
multiple fittings of two-dimensional surfaces. An important aspect of the new
method is its independence on the number of contracted Gaussian primitives. The
basis set of choice was STO-6G. In future developments, larger basis sets will
be developed. This work is part of a large effort aimed at improving the
inadequacies of existing computational chemistry methods, both based on quantum
mechanics and classical force fields, in particular in describing large and
heterogeneous systems (ex. metalloproteins).


title:
BioEM: GPU-accelerated computing of Bayesian inference of electron
  microscopy images

abstract:
  In cryo-electron microscopy (EM), molecular structures are determined from
large numbers of projection images of individual particles. To harness the full
power of this single-molecule information, we use the Bayesian inference of EM
(BioEM) formalism. By ranking structural models using posterior probabilities
calculated for individual images, BioEM in principle addresses the challenge of
working with highly dynamic or heterogeneous systems not easily handled in
traditional EM reconstruction. However, the calculation of these posteriors for
large numbers of particles and models is computationally demanding. Here we
present highly parallelized, GPU-accelerated computer software that performs
this task efficiently. Our flexible formulation employs CUDA, OpenMP, and MPI
parallelization combined with both CPU and GPU computing. The resulting BioEM
software scales nearly ideally both on pure CPU and on CPU+GPU architectures,
thus enabling Bayesian analysis of tens of thousands of images in a reasonable
time. The general mathematical framework and robust algorithms are not limited
to cryo-electron microscopy but can be generalized for electron tomography and
other imaging experiments.


title:
QCD Compositeness as Revealed in Exclusive Vector Boson Reactions
  through Double-Photon Annihilation: $e^+ e^- \to \gamma \gamma^\ast \to
  \gamma V^0 $ and $e^+ e^- \to \gamma^\ast \gamma^\ast \to V^0 V^0$

abstract:
  We study the exclusive double-photon annihilation processes, $e^+ e^- \to
\gamma \gamma^\ast\to \gamma V^0$ and $e^+ e^- \to \gamma^\ast \gamma^\ast \to
V^0_a V^0_b,$ where the $V^0_i$ is a neutral vector meson produced in the
forward kinematical region: $s \gg -t$ and $-t \gg \Lambda_{\rm QCD}^2$. We
show how the differential cross sections $\frac{d\sigma}{dt}$, as predicted by
QCD, have additional falloff in the momentum transfer squared $t$ due to the
QCD compositeness of the hadrons, consistent with the leading-twist
fixed-$\theta_{\rm CM} $ scaling laws. However, even though they are exclusive
channels and not associated with the conventional electron-positron
annihilation process $e^+ e^- \to \gamma^\ast \to q \bar q,$ these total cross
sections $\sigma(e^+ e^- \to \gamma V^0) $ and $\sigma(e^+ e^- \to V^0_a
V^0_b),$ integrated over the dominant forward- and backward-$\theta_{\rm CM}$
angular domains, scale as $1/s$, and thus contribute to the leading-twist
scaling behavior of the ratio $R_{e^+ e^-}$. We generalize these results to
exclusive double-electroweak vector-boson annihilation processes accompanied by
the forward production of hadrons, such as $e^+ e^- \to Z^0 V^0$ and $e^+ e^-
\to W^-\rho^+$. These results can also be applied to the exclusive production
of exotic hadrons such as tetraquarks, where the cross-section scaling behavior
can reveal their multiquark nature.


title: Quantum Approximate Markov Chains are Thermal

abstract:
  We prove that any one-dimensional (1D) quantum state with small quantum
conditional mutual information in all certain tripartite splits of the system,
which we call a quantum approximate Markov chain, can be well-approximated by a
Gibbs state of a short-range quantum Hamiltonian. Conversely, we also derive an
upper bound on the (quantum) conditional mutual information of Gibbs states of
1D short-range quantum Hamiltonians. We show that the conditional mutual
information between two regions A and C conditioned on the middle region B
decays exponentially with the square root of the length of B.
  These two results constitute a variant of the Hammersley-Clifford theorem
(which characterizes Markov networks, i.e. probability distributions which have
vanishing conditional mutual information, as Gibbs states of classical
short-range Hamiltonians) for 1D quantum systems. The result can be seen as a
strengthening - for 1D systems - of the mutual information area law for thermal
states. It directly implies an efficient preparation of any 1D Gibbs state at
finite temperature by a constant-depth quantum circuit.


title:
Brouwer degree, domination of manifolds, and groups presentable by
  products

abstract:
  For oriented connected closed manifolds of the same dimension, there is a
transitive relation: $M$ dominates $N$, or $M \ge N$, if there exists a
continuous map of non-zero degree from $M$ onto $N$. Section 1 is a reminder on
the notion of degree (Brouwer, Hopf), Section 2 shows examples of domination
and a first set of obstructions to domination due to Hopf, and Section 3
describes obstructions in terms of Gromov's simplicial volume.
  In Section 4 we address the particular question of when a given manifold can
(or cannot) be dominated by a product. These considerations suggest a notion
for groups (fundamental groups), due to D. Kotschick and C. L\"oh: a group is
presentable by a product if it contains two infinite commuting subgroups which
generate a subgroup of finite index. The last section shows a small sample of
groups which are not presentable by products; examples include appropriate
Coxeter groups.


title: Compressive imaging using fast transform coding

abstract:
  We propose deterministic sampling strategies for compressive imaging based on
Delsarte-Goethals frames. We show that these sampling strategies result in
multi-scale measurements which can be related to the 2D Haar wavelet transform.
We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed strategies through numerical
experiments.


title: Terrestrial Planet Formation from an Annulus

abstract:
  It has been shown that some aspects of the terrestrial planets can be
explained, particularly the Earth/Mars mass ratio, when they form from a
truncated disk with an outer edge near 1.0 au (Hansen 2009). This has been
previously modeled starting from an intermediate stage of growth utilizing
pre-formed planetary embryos. We present simulations that were designed to test
this idea by following the growth process from km-sized objects located between
0.7 to 1.0 au up to terrestrial planets. The simulations explore initial
conditions where the solids in the disk are planetesimals with radii initially
between 3 and 300 km, alternately including effects from a dissipating gaseous
solar nebula and collisional fragmentation. We use a new Lagrangian code known
as LIPAD (Levison et al. 2012), which is a particle-based code that models the
fragmentation, accretion and dynamical evolution of a large number of
planetesimals, and can model the entire growth process from km-sizes up to
planets. A suite of large (Mars mass) planetary embryos is complete in only 1
Myr, containing most of the system mass. A quiescent period then persists for
10-20 Myr characterized by slow diffusion of the orbits and continued accretion
of the remaining planetesimals. This is interupted by an instability that leads
to embryos crossing orbits and embyro-embryo impacts that eventually produce
the final set of planets. While this evolution is different than that found in
other works exploring an annulus, the final planetary systems are similar, with
roughly the correct number of planets and good Mars-analogs.


title:
Slow relaxation and sensitivity to disorder in trapped lattice fermions
  after a quench

abstract:
  We consider a system of non-interacting fermions in one dimension subject to
a single-particle potential consisting of (a) a strong optical lattice, (b) a
harmonic trap, and (c) uncorrelated on-site disorder. After a quench, in which
the center of the harmonic trap is displaced, we study the occupation function
of the fermions and the time-evolution of experimental observables.
Specifically, we present numerical and analytical results for the post-quench
occupation function of the fermions, and analyse the time-evolution of the
real-space density profile. Unsurprisingly for a non-interacting (and therefore
integrable) system, the infinite-time limit of the density profile is
non-thermal. However, due to Bragg-localization of the higher-energy
single-particle states, the approach to even this non-thermal state is
extremely slow. We quantify this statement, and show that it implies a
sensitivity to disorder parametrically stronger than that expected from
Anderson localization.


title:
The Cascading Haar Wavelet algorithm for computing the Walsh-Hadamard
  Transform

abstract:
  We propose a novel algorithm for computing the Walsh-Hadamard Transform (WHT)
which consists entirely of Haar wavelet transforms. We prove that the
algorithm, which we call the Cascading Haar Wavelet (CHW) algorithm, shares
precisely the same serial complexity as the popular divide-and-conquer
algorithm for the WHT. We also propose a natural way of parallelizing the
algorithm which has a number of attractive features.


title:
MOND impact on and of the recently updated mass-discrepancy-acceleration
  relation

abstract:
  McGaugh et al. (2016) have used their extensive SPARC sample to update the
well-known mass-discrepancy-acceleration relation (MDAR), which is one of the
major predicted "MOND laws". This is not a newly discovered relation. Rather,
it improves on the many previous studies of it, with more and better data. Like
its precedents, it bears crucial ramifications for the observed dynamical
anomalies in disc galaxies, and, in particular, on their resolution by the MOND
paradigm. Their result, indeed, constitute a triumph for MOND. However, unlike
previous analyses of the MDAR, McGaugh et al. have chosen to obfuscate the MOND
roots of their analysis, and its connection with, and implications for, this
paradigm. For example, the fitting formula they use, seemingly as a result of
some unexplained inspiration, follows in its salient properties from the basic
tenets of MOND, and has already been used in the past in several MOND analyses.
No other possible origin for such a function is known. Given that this formula
had already been shown to reproduce correctly the observed rotation curves from
the baryon distribution (as a MOND effect), it must have been clear, a priory,
that it should describe correctly the MDAR, which is but a summary of rotation
curves. The present paper corrects these oversights -- bringing to light the
deep connections with MOND, suppressed by McGaugh et al. It also gives due
credit to previous works, and discusses some new, important, but less known,
aspects of this MOND relation. (Substantially abridged.)


title:
Anomalous evolution of the near-side jet peak shape in Pb-Pb collisions
  at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV

abstract:
  The measurement of two-particle angular correlations is a powerful tool to
study jet quenching in a $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ region inaccessible by direct jet
identification. In these measurements pseudorapidity ($\Delta\eta$) and
azimuthal ($\Delta\varphi$) differences are used to extract the shape of the
near-side peak formed by particles associated to a higher $p_{\mathrm{T}}$
trigger particle ($1 < p_{\mathrm{T, trig}} <$ 8 GeV/c). A combined fit of the
near-side peak and long-range correlations is applied to the data allowing the
extraction of the centrality evolution of the peak shape in Pb-Pb collisions at
$\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV. A significant broadening of the peak in
the $\Delta\eta$ direction at low $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ is found from peripheral to
central collisions, which vanishes above 4 GeV/c, while in the $\Delta\varphi$
direction the peak is almost independent of centrality. For the 10% most
central collisions and $1 < p_{\mathrm{T, assoc}} <$ 2 GeV/c, $1 <
p_{\mathrm{T, trig}} <$ 3 GeV/c a novel feature is observed: a depletion
develops around the centre of the peak. The results are compared to pp
collisions at the same centre of mass energy and to AMPT model simulations. The
comparison to the investigated models suggests that the broadening and the
development of the depletion is connected to the strength of radial and
longitudinal flow.


title: The iterated minimum modulus and conjectures of Baker and Eremenko

abstract:
  In transcendental dynamics significant progress has been made by studying
points whose iterates escape to infinity at least as fast as iterates of the
maximum modulus. Here we take the novel approach of studying points whose
iterates escape at least as fast as iterates of the {\it minimum} modulus, and
obtain new results related to Eremenko's conjecture and Baker's conjecture, and
the rate of escape in Baker domains. To do this we prove a result of wider
interest concerning the existence of points that escape to infinity under the
iteration of a positive continuous function.


title:
Testing the asteroseismic scaling relations for Red Giants with
  Eclipsing Binaries Observed by Kepler

abstract:
  Given the potential of ensemble asteroseismology for understanding
fundamental properties of large numbers of stars, it is critical to determine
the accuracy of the scaling relations on which these measurements are based.
From several powerful validation techniques, all indications so far show that
stellar radius estimates from the asteroseismic scaling relations are accurate
to within a few percent. Eclipsing binary systems hosting at least one star
with detectable solar-like oscillations constitute the ideal test objects for
validating asteroseismic radius and mass inferences. By combining
radial-velocity measurements and photometric time series of eclipses, it is
possible to determine the masses and radii of each component of a double-lined
spectroscopic binary. We report the results of a four-year radial-velocity
survey performed with the \'echelle spectrometer of the Astrophysical Research
Consortium's 3.5-m telescope and the APOGEE spectrometer at Apache Point
Observatory. We compare the masses and radii of 10 red giants obtained by
combining radial velocities and eclipse photometry with the estimates from the
asteroseismic scaling relations. We find that the asteroseismic scaling
relations overestimate red-giant radii by about 5% on average and masses by
about 15% for stars at various stages of red-giant evolution. Systematic
overestimation of mass leads to underestimation of stellar age, which can have
important implications for ensemble asteroseismology used for Galactic studies.
As part of a second objective, where asteroseismology is used for understanding
binary systems, we confirm that oscillations of red giants in close binaries
can be suppressed enough to be undetectable, an hypothesis that was proposed in
a previous work.


title: The local $h$-polynomial of the edgewise subdivision of the simplex

abstract:
  The $r$-fold edgewise subdivision is a well studied flag triangulation of the
simplex with interesting algebraic, combinatorial and geometric properties. An
important enumerative invariant, namely the local $h$-polynomial, of this
triangulation is computed and shown to be $\gamma$-nonnegative by providing
explicit combinatorial interpretations to the corresponding coefficients. A
construction of a flag triangulation of the seven-dimensional simplex whose
local $h$-polynomial is not real-rooted is also described.


title:
Show and Tell: Lessons learned from the 2015 MSCOCO Image Captioning
  Challenge

abstract:
  Automatically describing the content of an image is a fundamental problem in
artificial intelligence that connects computer vision and natural language
processing. In this paper, we present a generative model based on a deep
recurrent architecture that combines recent advances in computer vision and
machine translation and that can be used to generate natural sentences
describing an image. The model is trained to maximize the likelihood of the
target description sentence given the training image. Experiments on several
datasets show the accuracy of the model and the fluency of the language it
learns solely from image descriptions. Our model is often quite accurate, which
we verify both qualitatively and quantitatively. Finally, given the recent
surge of interest in this task, a competition was organized in 2015 using the
newly released COCO dataset. We describe and analyze the various improvements
we applied to our own baseline and show the resulting performance in the
competition, which we won ex-aequo with a team from Microsoft Research, and
provide an open source implementation in TensorFlow.


title:
Giant tunable magnetoresistance of electrically gated graphene ribbon
  with lateral interface under magnetic field

abstract:
  Quantum dynamics and kinetics of electrically gated graphene ribbons with
lateral n-p and e-n-p junctions under magnetic field are investigated. It is
shown that the snake-like states of quasiparticles skipping along the n-p
interface do not manifest themselve in the main semiclassical part of the
ribbon conductance. Giant oscillations of the conductance of a ribbon with an
n-p-n junction are predicted and analytically calculated. Depending on the
number of junctions inside the ribbon its magnetoresistance may be controllably
changed by 50% - 90% by an extremely small change of the magnetic field or the
gate voltage.


title: Minimally Supervised Written-to-Spoken Text Normalization

abstract:
  In speech-applications such as text-to-speech (TTS) or automatic speech
recognition (ASR), \emph{text normalization} refers to the task of converting
from a \emph{written} representation into a representation of how the text is
to be \emph{spoken}. In all real-world speech applications, the text
normalization engine is developed---in large part---by hand. For example, a
hand-built grammar may be used to enumerate the possible ways of saying a given
token in a given language, and a statistical model used to select the most
appropriate pronunciation in context. In this study we examine the tradeoffs
associated with using more or less language-specific domain knowledge in a text
normalization engine. In the most data-rich scenario, we have access to a
carefully constructed hand-built normalization grammar that for any given token
will produce a set of all possible verbalizations for that token. We also
assume a corpus of aligned written-spoken utterances, from which we can train a
ranking model that selects the appropriate verbalization for the given context.
As a substitute for the carefully constructed grammar, we also consider a
scenario with a language-universal normalization \emph{covering grammar}, where
the developer merely needs to provide a set of lexical items particular to the
language. As a substitute for the aligned corpus, we also consider a scenario
where one only has the spoken side, and the corresponding written side is
"hallucinated" by composing the spoken side with the inverted normalization
grammar. We investigate the accuracy of a text normalization engine under each
of these scenarios. We report the results of experiments on English and
Russian.


title:
Young Stellar Populations in MYStIX Star Forming Regions: Candidate
  Protostars

abstract:
  The Massive Young Star Forming Complex in Infrared and X-ray (MYStIX) project
provides a new census on stellar members of massive star forming regions within
4 kpc. Here the MYStIX Infrared Excess catalog (MIRES) and Chandra-based X-ray
photometric catalogs are mined to obtain high-quality samples of Class I
protostars using criteria designed to reduce extragalactic and Galactic field
star contamination. A total of 1,109 MYStIX Candidate Protostars (MCPs) are
found in 14 star forming regions. Most are selected from protoplanetary disk
infrared excess emission, but 20% are found from their ultrahard X-ray spectra
from heavily absorbed magnetospheric flare emission. Two-thirds of the MCP
sample is newly reported here. The resulting samples are strongly spatially
associated with molecular cores and filaments on Herschel far-infrared maps.
This spatial agreement and other evidence indicate that the MCP sample has high
reliability with relatively few 'false positives' from contaminating
populations. But the limited sensitivity and sparse overlap among the infrared
and X-ray subsamples indicate that the sample is very incomplete with many
'false negatives'. Maps, tables, and source descriptions are provided to guide
further study of star formation in these regions. In particular, the nature of
ultrahard X-ray protostellar candidates without known infrared counterparts
needs to be eludicated.


title:
Lower bounds on binomial and Poisson tails: an approach via tail
  conditional expectations

abstract:
  We derive upper bounds on the tail conditional expectation of binomial and
Poisson random variables. Those upper bounds are subsequently employed to the
problem of obtaining non-asymptotic lower bounds on the probability that the
aforementioned random variables are significantly larger than their
expectation.