title:
Detection of biomolecules and bioconjugates by monitoring rotated
  grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance

abstract:
  Plasmonic biosensing chips were prepared by fabricating wavelength-scaled
dielectric-metal interfacial gratings on polymer film covered bimetal layers.
Lysozyme biomolecules (LYZ) and gold nanoparticle bioconjugates (AuNP-LYZ) with
1:5 mass ratio were seeded onto the biochip surfaces. Comparison of the
reflectance curves measured in a modified Kretschmann arrangement and computed
numerically proved that monitoring the narrower secondary peaks under optimal
rotated-grating coupling condition makes it possible to achieve enhanced
sensitivity in biodetection. The enlarged resonance peak shift is due to the
horizontally and vertically antisymmetric long-range plamonic modes propagating
at the edge of the valleys and hills, which originate from Bragg scattered
surface plasmon polaritons. The sensitivity is further increased in case of
bioconjugates due to the coupled localized resonances on Au NPs.


title:
NIR Tully-Fisher in the Zone of Avoidance. -- III. Deep NIR catalogue of
  the HIZOA galaxies

abstract:
  We present a deep near-infrared (NIR) photometric catalogue of sources from
the Parkes HI Zone of Avoidance (HIZOA) survey, which forms the basis for an
investigation of the matter distribution in the Zone of Avoidance. Observations
were conducted between 2006 and 2013 using the Infrared Survey Facility (IRSF),
a 1.4-m telescope situated at the South African Astronomical Observatory site
in Sutherland. The images cover all 1108 HIZOA detections and yield 915
galaxies. An additional 105 bright 2MASS galaxies in the southern ZOA were
imaged with the IRSF, resulting in 129 galaxies. The average $K_s$-band seeing
and sky background for the survey are 1.38 arcsec and 20.1 mag, respectively.
The detection rate as a function of stellar density and dust extinction is
found to depend mainly on the HI mass of the HI detected galaxies, which in
principal correlates with the NIR brightness of the spiral galaxies. The
measured isophotal magnitudes are of sufficient accuracy (errors $\sim$ 0.02
mag) to be used in a Tully-Fisher analysis. In the final NIR catalogue, 285
galaxies have both IRSF and 2MASS photometry (180 HIZOA plus 105 bright 2MASX
galaxies). The $K_s$-band isophotal magnitudes presented in this paper agree,
within the uncertainties, with those reported in the 2MASX catalogue. Another
30 galaxies, from the HIZOA northern extension, are also covered by UKIDSS
Galactic Plane Survey (GPS) images, which are one magnitude deeper than our
IRSF images. A modified version of our photometry pipeline was used to derive
the photometric parameters of these UKIDSS galaxies. Good agreement was found
between the respective $K_s$-band isophotal magnitudes. These comparisons
confirm the robustness of the isophotal parameters and demonstrate that the
IRSF images do not suffer from foreground contamination, after star removal,
nor under-estimate the isophotal fluxes of ZoA galaxies.


title: Community detection in networks using self-avoiding random walks

abstract:
  Different kinds of random walks have proven to be useful in the study of
structural properties of complex networks. Among them, the restricted dynamics
of self-avoiding random walks (SAW), which visit only at most once each vertex
in the same walk, has been successfully used in network exploration. The
detection of communities of strongly connected vertices in networks remains an
open problem, despite its importance, due to the high computational complexity
of the associated optimization problem and the lack of a unique formal
definition of communities. In this work, we propose a SAW-based method to
extract the community distribution of a network and show that it achieves high
modularity scores, specially for real-world networks. We combine SAW with
principal component analysis to define the dissimilarity measure to be used for
agglomerative hierarchical clustering. To evaluate the performance of this
method we compare it with four popular methods for community detection:
Girvan-Newman, Fastgreedy, Walktrap and Infomap using two types of synthetic
networks and six well-known real-world cases.


title:
Nonaffine rearrangements of atoms in deformed and quiescent binary
  glasses

abstract:
  The influence of periodic shear deformation on nonaffine atomic displacements
in an amorphous solid is examined via molecular dynamics simulations. We study
the three-dimensional Kob-Andersen binary mixture model at a finite
temperature. It is found that when the material is periodically strained, most
of the atoms undergo repetitive nonaffine displacements with amplitudes that
are broadly distributed. We show that particles with large amplitudes of
nonaffine displacements are organized into compact clusters. With increasing
strain amplitude, spatial correlations of nonaffine displacements become
increasingly long-ranged, although they remain present even in a quiescent
system due to thermal fluctuations.


title: Large Gauge Symmetries and Asymptotic States in QED

abstract:
  Large Gauge Transformations (LGT) are gauge transformations that do not
vanish at infinity. Instead, they asymptotically approach arbitrary functions
on the conformal sphere at infinity. Recently, it was argued that the LGT
should be treated as an infinite set of global symmetries which are
spontaneously broken by the vacuum. It was established that in QED, the Ward
identities of their induced symmetries are equivalent to the Soft Photon
Theorem. In this paper we study the implications of LGT on the S-matrix between
physical asymptotic states in massive QED. In appose to the naively free
scattering states, physical asymptotic states incorporate the long range
electric field between asymptotic charged particles and were already
constructed in 1970 by Kulish and Faddeev. We find that the LGT charge is
independent of the particles' momenta and may be associated to the vacuum. The
soft theorem's manifestation as a Ward identity turns out to be an outcome of
not working with the physical asymptotic states.


title: Competition of tolerant strategies in the spatial public goods game

abstract:
  Tolerance implies enduring trying circumstances with a fair and objective
attitude. To determine whether evolutionary advantages might be stemming from
diverse levels of tolerance in a population, we study a spatial public goods
game, where in addition to cooperators, defectors, and loners, tolerant players
are also present. Depending on the number of defectors within a group, a
tolerant player can either cooperate in or abstain from a particular instance
of the game. We show that the diversity of tolerance can give rise to
synergistic effects, wherein players with a different threshold in terms of the
tolerated number of defectors in a group compete most effectively against
defection and default abstinence. Such synergistic associations can stabilise
states of full cooperation where otherwise defection would dominate. We observe
complex pattern formation that gives rise to an intricate phase diagram, where
invisible yet stable strategy alliances require outmost care lest they are
overlooked. Our results highlight the delicate importance of diversity and
tolerance for the provisioning of public goods, and they reveal fascinating
subtleties of the spatiotemporal dynamics that is due to the competition of
subsystem solutions in structured populations.


title:
Limit theorems for eigenvectors of the normalized Laplacian for random
  graphs

abstract:
  We prove a central limit theorem for the components of the eigenvectors
corresponding to the $d$ largest eigenvalues of the normalized Laplacian matrix
of a finite dimensional random dot product graph. As a corollary, we show that
for stochastic blockmodel graphs, the rows of the spectral embedding of the
normalized Laplacian converge to multivariate normals and furthermore the mean
and the covariance matrix of each row are functions of the associated vertex's
block membership. Together with prior results for the eigenvectors of the
adjacency matrix, we then compare, via the Chernoff information between
multivariate normal distributions, how the choice of embedding method impacts
subsequent inference. We demonstrate that neither embedding method dominates
with respect to the inference task of recovering the latent block assignments.


title: Fast Jacobian arithmetic for hyperelliptic curves of genus 3

abstract:
  We consider the problem of efficient computation in the Jacobian of a
hyperelliptic curve of genus 3 defined over a field whose characteristic is not
2. For curves with a rational Weierstrass point, fast explicit formulas are
well known and widely available. Here we address the general case, in which we
do not assume the existence of a rational Weierstrass point, using a balanced
divisor approach.


title: Which bulges are favoured by barred S0 galaxies?

abstract:
  S0 galaxies are known to host classical bulges with a broad range of size and
mass, while some such S0s are barred and some not. The origin of the bars has
remained as a long-standing problem -- what made bar formation possible in
certain S0s?
  By analysing a large sample of S0s with classical bulges observed by the
Spitzer space telescope, we find that most of our barred S0s host comparatively
low-mass classical bulges, typically with bulge-to-total ratio ($B/T$) less
than $0.5$; whereas S0s with more massive classical bulges than these do not
host any bar. Furthermore, we find that amongst the barred S0s, there is a
trend for the longer and massive bars to be associated with comparatively
bigger and massive classical bulges -- possibly suggesting bar growth being
facilitated by these classical bulges. In addition, we find that the bulge
effective radius is always less than the bar effective radius --indicating an
interesting synergy between the host classical bulge and bars being maintained
while bar growth occurred in these S0s.


title: Few-Body Route to One-Dimensional Quantum Liquids

abstract:
  Gapless many-body quantum systems in one spatial dimension are universally
described by the Luttinger liquid effective theory at low energies.
Essentially, only two parameters enter the effective low-energy description,
namely the speed of sound and the Luttinger parameter. These are highly system
dependent and their calculation requires accurate non-perturbative solutions of
the many-body problem. Here, we present a simple method that only uses
collisional information to extract the low-energy properties of these systems.
Our results are in remarkable agreement with available results for integrable
models and from large scale Monte Carlo simulations of one-dimensional helium
and hydrogen isotopes. Moreover, we estimate theoretically the critical point
for spinodal decomposition in one-dimensional helium-4, and show that the
exponent governing the divergence of the Luttinger parameter near the critical
point is exactly 1/2, in excellent agreement with Monte Carlo simulations.


title: 2S1553-542: a Be/X-ray binary pulsar on the far side of the Galaxy

abstract:
  We report the results of a comprehensive analysis of X-ray (Chandra and Swift
observatories), optical (Southern African Large Telescope, SALT) and
near-infrared (the VVV survey) observations of the Be/X-ray binary pulsar
2S1553-542. Accurate coordinates for the X-ray source are determined and are
used to identify the faint optical/infrared counterpart for the first time.
Using VVV and SALTICAM photometry, we have constructed the spectral energy
distribution (SED) for this star and found a moderate NIR excess that is
typical for Be stars and arises due to the presence of circumstellar material
(disk). A comparison of the SED with those of known Be/X-ray binaries has
allowed us to estimate the spectral type of the companion star as B1-2V and the
distance to the system as $>15$ kpc. This distance estimation is supported by
the X-ray data and makes 2S1553-542 one of the most distant X-ray binaries
within the Milky Way, residing on the far side in the Scutum-Centaurus arm or
even further.


title: Relating binary-star planetary systems to central configurations

abstract:
  Binary-star exoplanetary systems are now known to be common, for both wide
and close binaries. However, their orbital evolution is generally unsolvable.
Special cases of the N-body problem which are in fact completely solvable
include dynamical architectures known as central configurations. Here, I
utilize recent advances in our knowledge of central configurations to assess
the plausibility of linking them to coplanar exoplanetary binary systems. By
simply restricting constituent masses to be within stellar or substellar ranges
characteristic of planetary systems, I find that (i) this constraint reduces by
over 90 per cent the phase space in which central configurations may occur,
(ii) both equal-mass and unequal-mass binary stars admit central
configurations, (iii) these configurations effectively represent different
geometrical extensions of the Sun-Jupiter-Trojan-like architecture, (iv)
deviations from these geometries are no greater than ten degrees, and (v) the
deviation increases as the substellar masses increase. This study may help
restrict future stability analyses to architectures which resemble exoplanetary
systems, and might hint at where observers may discover dust, asteroids and/or
planets in binary star systems.


title: Black hole accretion discs and screened scalar hair

abstract:
  We present a novel way to investigate scalar field profiles around black
holes with an accretion disc for a range of models where the Compton wavelength
of the scalar is large compared to other length scales. By analysing the
problem in "Weyl" coordinates, we are able to calculate the scalar profiles for
accretion discs in the static Schwarzschild, as well as rotating Kerr, black
holes. We comment on observational effects.


title: Cosmology of a Heisenberg fluid

abstract:
  We consider a scenario in which the global geometry of the universe is driven
by non-linear fermions obeying Heisenberg dynamics.


title: Cumulative effects in inflation with ultra-light entropy modes

abstract:
  In multi-field inflation one or more non-adiabatic modes may become light,
potentially inducing large levels of isocurvature perturbations in the cosmic
microwave background. If in addition these light modes are coupled to the
adiabatic mode, they influence its evolution on super horizon scales. Here we
consider the case in which a non-adiabatic mode becomes approximately massless
("ultralight") while still coupled to the adiabatic mode, a typical situation
that arises with pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone bosons or moduli. This ultralight mode
freezes on super-horizon scales and acts as a constant source for the curvature
perturbation, making it grow linearly in time and effectively suppressing the
isocurvature component. We identify a Stuckelberg-like emergent shift symmetry
that underlies this behavior. As inflation lasts for many e-folds, the
integrated effect of this source enhances the power spectrum of the adiabatic
mode, while keeping the non-adiabatic spectrum approximately untouched. In this
case, towards the end of inflation all the fluctuations, adiabatic and
non-adiabatic, are dominated by a single degree of freedom.


title: Bouncing cosmology inspired by regular black holes

abstract:
  In this article, we present a bouncing cosmology inspired by a family of
regular black holes. This scale-dependent cosmology deviates from the
cosmological principle by means of a scale factor which depends on the time and
the radial coordinate as well. The model is isotropic but not perfectly
homogeneous. That is, this cosmology describes a universe almost homogeneous
only for large scales, such as our observable universe.


title: Logarithmic Entanglement Lightcone in Many-Body Localized Systems

abstract:
  We theoretically study the response of a many-body localized system to a
local quench from a quantum information perspective. We find that the local
quench triggers entanglement growth throughout the whole system, giving rise to
a logarithmic lightcone. This saturates the modified Lieb-Robinson bound for
quantum information propagation in many-body localized systems previously
conjectured based on the existence of local integrals of motion. In addition,
near the localization-delocalization transition, we find that the final states
after the local quench exhibit volume-law entanglement. We also show that the
local quench induces a deterministic orthogonality catastrophe for highly
excited eigenstates, where the typical wave-function overlap between the pre-
and post-quench eigenstates decays {\it exponentially} with the system size.

categories: cond-mat.dis-nn cond-mat.stat-mech cond-mat.str-el quant-ph


title: A Low Frequency Survey of Giant Pulses from the Crab Pulsar

abstract:
  We present a large survey of giant pulses from the Crab Pulsar as observed
with the first station of the Long Wavelength Array. Automated methods for
detecting giant pulses at low frequencies where scattering becomes prevalent
are also explored. More than 1400 pulses were detected across four frequency
bands between 20 - 84 MHz over a seven month period beginning in 2013, with
additional followup observations in late 2014 and early 2015. A handful of
these pulses were detected simultaneously across all four frequency bands. We
examine pulse characteristics, including pulse broadening and power law indices
for amplitude distributions. We find that the flux density increases toward
shorter wavelengths, consistent with a spectral turnover at 100 MHz. Our
observations uniquely span multiple scattering epochs, manifesting as a notable
trend in the number of detections per observation. These results are
characteristic of the variable interface between the synchrotron nebula and the
surrounding interstellar medium.


title:
SDSS-IV MaNGA IFS Galaxy Survey --- Survey Design, Execution, and
  Initial Data Quality

abstract:
  The MaNGA Survey (Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory) is one
of three core programs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV. It is obtaining
integral field spectroscopy (IFS) for 10K nearby galaxies at a spectral
resolution of R~2000 from 3,622-10,354A. The design of the survey is driven by
a set of science requirements on the precision of estimates of the following
properties: star formation rate surface density, gas metallicity, stellar
population age, metallicity, and abundance ratio, and their gradients; stellar
and gas kinematics; and enclosed gravitational mass as a function of radius. We
describe how these science requirements set the depth of the observations and
dictate sample selection. The majority of targeted galaxies are selected to
ensure uniform spatial coverage in units of effective radius (Re) while
maximizing spatial resolution. About 2/3 of the sample is covered out to 1.5Re
(Primary sample), and 1/3 of the sample is covered to 2.5Re (Secondary sample).
We describe the survey execution with details that would be useful in the
design of similar future surveys. We also present statistics on the achieved
data quality, specifically, the point spread function, sampling uniformity,
spectral resolution, sky subtraction, and flux calibration. For our Primary
sample, the median r-band signal-to-noise ratio is ~73 per 1.4A pixel for
spectra stacked between 1-1.5 Re. Measurements of various galaxy properties
from the first year data show that we are meeting or exceeding the defined
requirements for the majority of our science goals.


title: Boosting to identify: pseudoscalar searches with di-leptonic tops

abstract:
  The quest for new heavy states is a critical component of the LHC physics
program. In this letter, we study the search for pseudoscalar bosons produced
in association with a $t\bar{t}$ pair. We consider the final state $t\bar{t} A
\to t\bar{t} b\bar{b}$ with di-leptonic top pair signature, and reconstruct the
boosted $A \to b\bar{b}$ candidate with jet substructure techniques, achieving
a remarkable sensitivity over a broad range of pseudoscalar masses and Yukawa
couplings. We apply this strategy to a Type-I Two-Higgs-Doublet Model,
demonstrating its ability to probe a realistic, UV-complete extended Higgs
sector. In particular, we find that the $13~TeV$ LHC with $300~fb^{-1}$ of data
can constrain the region $\tan\beta>1.5$ at 95$\%$ CL for a light pseudoscalar
with $m_A = 50$ GeV. Moreover, the whole mass range $20~GeV<m_A<210~GeV$ can be
ruled out for $\tan\beta \leq 1$. Finally, we show that it is also possible to
directly probe the CP-structure of the heavy scalar, and hence to distinguish a
CP-odd (A) from a CP-even (H) 2HDM resonance.


title: Striations in molecular clouds: Streamers or MHD waves?

abstract:
  Dust continuum and molecular observations of the low column density parts of
molecular clouds have revealed the presence of elongated structures which
appear to be well aligned with the magnetic field. These so-called striations
are usually assumed to be streams that flow towards or away from denser
regions. We perform ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations adopting four
models that could account for the formation of such structures. In the first
two models striations are created by velocity gradients between ambient,
parallel streamlines along magnetic field lines. In the third model striations
are formed as a result of a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability perpendicular to field
lines. Finally, in the fourth model striations are formed from the nonlinear
coupling of MHD waves due to density inhomogeneities. We assess the validity of
each scenario by comparing the results from our simulations with previous
observational studies and results obtained from the analysis of CO (J = 1 - 0)
observations from the Taurus molecular cloud. We find that the first three
models cannot reproduce the density contrast and the properties of the spatial
power spectrum of a perpendicular cut to the long axes of striations. We
conclude that the nonlinear coupling of MHD waves is the most probable
formation mechanism of striations.


title:
Empirically Constrained Predictions for Metal-Line Emission from the
  Circumgalactic Medium

abstract:
  The circumgalactic medium (CGM) remains one of the least constrained
components of galaxies and as such has significant potential for advancing
galaxy formation theories. In this work, we vary the extragalactic ultraviolet
background for a high-resolution cosmological simulation of a Milky Way-like
galaxy and examine the effect on the absorption and emission properties of
metals in the CGM. We find that a reduced quasar background brings the column
density predictions into better agreement with recent data. Similarly, when the
observationally derived physical properties of the gas are compared to the
simulation, we find that the simulation gas is always at temperatures
approximately 0.5 dex higher. Thus, similar column densities can be produced
from fundamentally different gas. However, emission maps can provide
complementary information to the line-of-sight column densities to better
derive gas properties. From the simulations, we find that the brightest
emission is less sensitive to the extragalactic background and that it closely
follows the fundamental filamentary structure of the halo. This becomes
increasingly true as the galaxy evolves from z=1 to z=0 and the majority of the
gas transitions to a hotter, more diffuse phase. For the brightest ions (CIII,
CIV, OVI), detectable emission can extend as far as 120 kpc at z=0. Finally,
resolution is a limiting factor for the conclusions we can draw from emission
observations but with moderate resolution and reasonable detection limits,
upcoming instrumentation should place constraints on the physical properties of
the CGM.


title: Single spin probe of Many-Body Localization

abstract:
  We use an external spin as a dynamical probe of many body localization. The
probe spin is coupled to an interacting and disordered environment described by
a Heisenberg spin chain in a random field. The spin-chain environment can be
tuned between a thermalizing delocalized phase and non-thermalizing localized
phase, both in its ground- and high-energy states. We study the decoherence of
the probe spin when it couples to the environment prepared in three states: the
ground state, the infinite temperature state and a high energy N\'eel state. In
the non-thermalizing many body localized regime, the coherence shows scaling
behaviour in the disorder strength. The long-time dynamics of the probe spin
shows a logarithmic dephasing in analogy with the logarithmic growth of
entanglement entropy for a bi-partition of a many-body localized system. In
summary, we show that decoherence of the probe spin provides clear signatures
of many-body localization.


title: Ferromagnetic ground state of SU(3) Hubbard model on the Lieb lattice

abstract:
  We investigate the magnetic properties of a repulsive fermionic SU($3$)
Hubbard model on the Lieb lattice from weak to strong interaction by means of
the mean-field approximation. To validate the method we employed, we first
discuss the SU($2$) Hubbard model at the mean-field level, and find that our
results are consistent with known rigorous theorems. We then extend the
calculation to the case of SU($3$) symmetry. We find that, at $4/9$ filling,
the SU$(3)$ symmetry spontaneously breaks into the SU$(2)\times$U$(1)$ symmetry
in the ground state, leading to a staggered ferromagnetic state for any
repulsive $U$ at zero temperature. We then investigate the stability of the
ferromagnetic state by relaxing the filling away from $4/9$, and conclude that
the ferromagnetic state is sensitive but robust to fillings, as it can persist
within a certain filling regime. We also apply the mean-field approximation to
finite temperature to calculate the critical temperature and the critical
entropy of the ferromagnetic state. As the resulting critical entropy per
particle is significantly greater than that can be realized in experiments, we
expect some quasi-long-range-ordered features of such a ferromagnetic state can
be realized and observed with fermionic alkaline-earth-metal(-like) atoms
loaded into optical lattices.

categories: cond-mat.str-el cond-mat.quant-gas cond-mat.stat-mech quant-ph


title: The Data Reduction Pipeline for the SDSS-IV MaNGA IFU Galaxy Survey

abstract:
  Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) is an optical
fiber-bundle integral-field unit (IFU) spectroscopic survey that is one of
three core programs in the fourth-generation Sloan Digital Sky Survey
(SDSS-IV). With a spectral coverage of 3622 - 10,354 Angstroms and an average
footprint of ~ 500 arcsec^2 per IFU the scientific data products derived from
MaNGA will permit exploration of the internal structure of a statistically
large sample of 10,000 low redshift galaxies in unprecedented detail.
Comprising 174 individually pluggable science and calibration IFUs with a
near-constant data stream, MaNGA is expected to obtain ~ 100 million raw-frame
spectra and ~ 10 million reduced galaxy spectra over the six-year lifetime of
the survey. In this contribution, we describe the MaNGA Data Reduction Pipeline
(DRP) algorithms and centralized metadata framework that produces
sky-subtracted, spectrophotometrically calibrated spectra and rectified 3-D
data cubes that combine individual dithered observations. For the 1390 galaxy
data cubes released in Summer 2016 as part of SDSS-IV Data Release 13 (DR13),
we demonstrate that the MaNGA data have nearly Poisson-limited sky subtraction
shortward of ~ 8500 Angstroms and reach a typical 10-sigma limiting continuum
surface brightness mu = 23.5 AB/arcsec^2 in a five arcsec diameter aperture in
the g band. The wavelength calibration of the MaNGA data is accurate to 5 km/s
rms, with a median spatial resolution of 2.54 arcsec FWHM (1.8 kpc at the
median redshift of 0.037) and a median spectral resolution of sigma = 72 km/s.


title:
$Profiler$ - A Fast and Versatile New Program for Decomposing Galaxy
  Light Profiles

abstract:
  I introduce $Profiler$, a new, user-friendly program written in $Python$ and
designed to analyse the radial surface brightness profiles of galaxies. With an
intuitive graphical user interface, $Profiler$ can accurately model a wide
range of galaxies and galaxy components, such as elliptical galaxies, the
bulges of spiral and lenticular galaxies, nuclear sources, discs, bars, rings,
spiral arms, etc., with a variety of parametric functions routinely employed in
the field (S\'ersic, core-S\'ersic, exponential, Gaussian, Moffat and Ferrers).
In addition to these, $Profiler$ can employ the broken exponential model
(relevant for disc truncations or antitruncations) and two special cases of the
edge-on disc model: namely along the major axis (in the disc plane) and along
the minor axis (perpendicular to the disc plane). $Profiler$ is optimised to
work with galaxy light profiles obtained from isophotal measurements which
capture radial gradients in the ellipticity, position angle and Fourier
harmonic profiles of the isophotes, and are thus often better at capturing the
total light than two-dimensional image-fitting programs. Additionally, the
one-dimensional approach is generally less computationally expensive and more
stable. In $Profiler$, the convolution of either circular or elliptical models
with the point spread function is performed in two-dimensions, and offers a
choice between Gaussian, Moffat or a user-provided data vector (a table of
intensity values as a function of radius) for the point spread function. I
demonstrate $Profiler$'s features and operation by decomposing three case-study
galaxies: the cored elliptical galaxy NGC 3348, the nucleated dwarf Seyfert I
galaxy Pox 52, and NGC 2549, a structurally complex, double-barred galaxy which
also displays a Type II truncated disc viewed edge-on. $Profiler$ is freely
available at: https://github.com/BogdanCiambur/PROFILER


title: Gravitationally bound BCS state as dark matter

abstract:
  We explore the possibility that fermionic dark matter undergoes a BCS
transition to form a superfluid. This requires an attractive interaction
between fermions and we describe a possible source of this interaction induced
by torsion. We describe the gravitating fermion system with the Bogoliubov-de
Gennes formalism in the local density approximation. We solve the Poisson
equation along with the equations for the density and gap energy of the
fermions to find a self-gravitating, superfluid solution for dark matter halos.
In order to produce halos the size of dwarf galaxies, we require a particle
mass of $\sim 200\mathrm{eV}$. We find a maximum attractive coupling strength
before the halo becomes unstable. If dark matter halos do have a superfluid
component, this raises the possibility that they contain vortex lines.


title: Unified Maximally Natural Supersymmetry

abstract:
  Maximally Natural Supersymmetry, an unusual weak-scale supersymmetric
extension of the Standard Model based upon the inherently higher-dimensional
mechanism of Scherk-Schwarz supersymmetry breaking (SSSB), possesses remarkably
good fine tuning given present LHC limits. Here we construct a version with
precision $SU(2)_{\rm L} \times U(1)_{\rm Y} $ unification: $\sin^2
\theta_W(M_Z) \simeq 0.231$ is predicted to $\pm 2\%$ by unifying $SU(2)_{\rm
L} \times U(1)_{\rm Y} $ into a 5D $SU(3)_{\rm EW}$ theory at a Kaluza-Klein
scale of $1/R_5 \sim 4.4\,{\rm TeV}$, where SSSB is simultaneously realised.
Full unification with $SU(3)_{\rm C}$ is accommodated by extending the 5D
theory to a $N=4$ supersymmetric $SU(6)$ gauge theory on a 6D rectangular
orbifold at $1/R_6 \sim 40 \,{\rm TeV}$. TeV-scale states beyond the SM include
exotic charged fermions implied by $SU(3)_{\rm EW}$ with masses lighter than
$\sim 1.2\,{\rm TeV}$, and squarks in the mass range $1.4\,{\rm TeV} -
2.3\,{\rm TeV}$, providing distinct signatures and discovery opportunities for
LHC run II.


title: Constraining Dust Extinction Properties via the VVV Survey

abstract:
  Near-infrared color-excess and extinction ratios are essential for
establishing the cosmic distance scale and probing the Galaxy, particularly
when analyzing targets attenuated by significant dust. A robust determination
of those ratios followed from leveraging new infrared observations from the VVV
survey, wherein numerous bulge RR Lyrae and Type II Cepheids were discovered,
in addition to $BVJHK_{s}(3.4\rightarrow22)\mu m$ data for classical Cepheids
and O-stars occupying the broader Galaxy. The apparent optical color-excess
ratios vary significantly with Galactic longitude ($\ell$), whereas the
near-infrared results are comparatively constant with $\ell$ and Galactocentric
distance ($\langle E(J-\overline{3.5\mu m})/E(J-K_s) \rangle =1.28\pm0.03$).
The results derived imply that classical Cepheids and O-stars display separate
optical trends ($R_{V,BV}$) with $\ell$, which appear to disfavor theories
advocating a strict and marked decrease in dust size with increasing
Galactocentric distance. The classical Cepheid, Type II Cepheid, and RR Lyrae
variables are characterized by $\langle A_{J}/E(J-K_s) \rangle = \langle
R_{J,JK_s} \rangle =1.49\pm0.05$ ($\langle A_{K_s}/A_J \rangle =0.33\pm0.02$),
whereas the O-stars are expectedly impacted by emission beyond $3.6 \mu m$. The
mean optical ratios characterizing classical Cepheids and O-stars are
approximately $\langle R_{V,BV} \rangle \sim3.1$ and $\langle R_{V,BV} \rangle
\sim3.3$, respectively.


title: Alternative structure of TiO2 with higher energy valence band edge

abstract:
  We propose an alternative structure of TiO2 anatase that has a higher energy
oxygen p-like valence band maximum than the pristine TiO2 anatase and thus has
a much better alignment with the water splitting levels. This alternative
structure is unique when considering a large subspace of possible structural
distortions of TiO2 anatase. We propose two routes towards this state and argue
that one of them might have been realized in the recently discovered so-called
black TiO2.


title: Universal collapse of the viscosity of supercooled fluids

abstract:
  All liquids in nature can be supercooled to form a glass. Surprisingly,
although this phenomenon has been employed for millennia, it still remains
ill-understood. Perhaps the most puzzling feature of supercooled liquids is the
dramatic increase in their viscosity as the temperature ($T$) is lowered. This
precipitous rise has long posed a fundamental theoretical challenge. Numerous
approaches currently attempt to explain this phenomenon. When present, data
collapse points to an underlying simplicity in various branches of science. In
this Letter, we report on a 16 decade data collapse of the viscosity of 45
different liquids of all known types. Specifically, the viscosity of
supercooled liquids scaled by their value at their respective equilibrium
melting temperature ($\eta(T)/\eta(T_{melt}))$ is, for all temperatures
$T<T_{melt}$, a universal function of $(T_{melt} - T)/(B T)$ where $B$ is a
constant that does not change significantly from one liquid to another. This
exceptionally plain behavior hints at a link between glassy dynamics and the
conventional equilibrium melting transition in all known supercooled fluids.


title:
In-situ Raman spectroscopy analysis of the interfaces between Ni-based
  SOFC anodes and stabilized zirconia electrolyte

abstract:
  A new experimental approach for in-situ Raman spectroscopy of the electrode |
solid electrolyte interfaces in controlled atmospheres, based on the use of
optically transparent single-crystal membranes of stabilized cubic zirconia,
has been proposed and validated. This technique makes it possible to directly
access the electrochemical reaction zone in SOFCs by passing the laser beam
through single-crystal electrolyte onto the interface, in combination with
simultaneous electrochemical measurements. The case study centered on the
analysis of NiO reduction in standard cermet anodes under open-circuit
conditions, demonstrated an excellent agreement between the observed kinetic
parameters and literature data on nickel oxide. The porous cermet reduction
kinetics at 400-600C in flowing H2-N2 gas mixture can be described by the
classical Avrami model, suggesting that the reaction rate is determined by the
metal nuclei growth limited by Ni diffusion. The advantages and limitations of
the new experimental approach were briefly discussed.


title:
A Modified and Calibrated Drift-Diffusion-Reaction Model for Time-Domain
  Analysis of Charging Phenomena in Electron-Beam Irradiated Insulators

abstract:
  This paper presents an improved version of the previously proposed
self-consistent drift-diffusion-reaction model correcting for non-physical
behavior at longer time scales. To this end a novel boundary condition is
employed that takes into account the effect of tertiary electrons and a fully
dynamic trap-assisted generation-recombination mechanism is implemented.
Sensitivity of the model with respect to material parameters is investigated
and a calibration procedure is developed that reproduces experimental
yield-energy curves for uncharged insulators. Long-time charging and yield
variations are analyzed for stationary defocused and focused beams as well as
moving beams dynamically scanning composite insulators.


title: The age structure of the Milky Way's halo

abstract:
  We present a new, high-resolution chronographic (age) map of the Milky Way's
halo, based on the inferred ages of ~130,000 field blue horizontal-branch (BHB)
stars with photometry from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Our map exhibits a
strong central concentration of BHB stars with ages greater than 12 Gyr,
extending up to ~15 kpc from the Galactic center (reaching close to the solar
vicinity), and a decrease in the mean ages of field stars with distance by
1-1.5 Gyr out to ~45-50 kpc, along with an apparent increase of the dispersion
of stellar ages, and numerous known (and previously unknown) resolved
over-densities and debris streams, including the Sagittarius Stream. These
results agree with expectations from modern LambdaCDM cosmological simulations,
and support the existence of a dual (inner/outer) halo system, punctuated by
the presence of over-densities and debris streams that have not yet completely
phase-space mixed.


title: Statistical discrete geometry

abstract:
  Following our earlier work, we construct statistical discrete geometry by
applying statistical mechanics to discrete (Regge) gravity. We propose a
coarse-graining method for discrete geometry under the assumptions of atomism
and background independence. To maintain these assumptions, restrictions are
given to the theory by introducing cut-offs, both in ultraviolet and infrared
regime. Having a well-defined statistical picture of discrete Regge geometry,
we take the infinite degrees of freedom (large n) limit. We argue that the
correct limit consistent with the restrictions and the background independence
concept is not the continuum limit of statistical mechanics, but the
thermodynamical limit.


title: Outer-planet scattering can gently tilt an inner planetary system

abstract:
  Chaotic dynamics are expected during and after planet formation, and a
leading mechanism to explain large eccentricities of gas giant exoplanets is
planet-planet gravitational scattering. The same scattering has been invoked to
explain misalignments of planetary orbital planes with respect to their host
star's spin. However, an observational puzzle is presented by Kepler-56, which
has two inner planets (b and c) that are nearly coplanar with each other, yet
are more than 45 degrees inclined to their star's equator. Thus the spin-orbit
misalignment might be primordial. Instead, we further develop the hypothesis in
the discovery paper, that planets on wider orbits generated misalignment
through scattering, and as a result gently torqued the inner planets away from
the equator plane of the star. We integrated the equations of motion for
Kepler-56 b and c along with an unstable outer system initialized with either
two or three Jupiter-mass planets. We address here whether the violent
scattering that generates large mutual inclinations can leave the inner system
intact, tilting it gently. In almost all of the cases initially with two outer
planets, either the inner planets remain nearly coplanar with each other in the
star's equator plane, or they are scattered violently to high mutual
inclination and high spin-orbit misalignment. On the contrary, of the systems
with three unstable outer planets, a spin-orbit misalignment large enough to
explain the observations is generated 28% of the time for coplanar inner
planets, which is consistent with the observed frequency of this phenomenon
reported so far. We conclude that multiple-planet scattering in the outer parts
of the system may account for this new population of coplanar planets hosted by
oblique stars.


title: Entanglement Entropy of Local Operators in Quantum Lifshitz Theory

abstract:
  We study the growth of entanglement entropy(EE) of local operator excitation
in the quantum Lifshitz model which has dynamic exponent z = 2. Specifically,
we act a local vertex operator on the groundstate at a distance $l$ to the
entanglement cut and calculate the EE as a function of time for the state's
subsequent time evolution. We find that the excess EE compared with the
groundstate is a monotonically increasing function which is vanishingly small
before the onset at $t \sim l^2$ and eventually saturates to a constant
proportional to the scaling dimension of the vertex operator. The
quasi-particle picture can interpret the final saturation as the exhaustion of
the quasi-particle pairs, while the diffusive nature of the time scale $t \sim
l^2$ replaces the common causality constraint in CFT calculation. To further
understand this property, we compute the excess EE of a small disk probe far
from the excitation point and find chromatography pattern in EE generated by
quasi-particles of different propagation speeds.


title:
The importance of temperature dependent energy gap in the understanding
  of high temperature thermoelectric properties

abstract:
  In the present work, we show the importance of temperature dependent energy
band gap, E$_{g}$(T), in understanding the high temperature thermoelectric (TE)
properties of material by considering LaCoO$_{3}$ (LCO) and ZnV$_{2}$O$_{4}$
(ZVO) compounds as a case study. For the fix value of band gap, E$_{g}$,
deviation in the values of $\alpha$ has been observed above 360 K and 400 K for
LCO and ZVO compounds, respectively. These deviation can be overcomed by
consideration of temperature dependent band gap. The change in used value of
E$_{g}$ with respect to temperature is $\sim$4 times larger than that of InAs.
This large temperature dependence variation in E$_{g}$ can be attributed to
decrement in the effective on-site Coulomb interaction due to lattice
expansion. At 600 K, the value of \textit{ZT} for \textit{n} and
\textit{p-doped}, LCO is $\sim$0.35 which suggest that it can be a used as a
potential material for TE device. This work clearly suggest that one should
consider the temperature dependent band gap in predicting the high temperature
TE properties of insulating materials.


title:
Jet Flavor Classification in High-Energy Physics with Deep Neural
  Networks

abstract:
  Classification of jets as originating from light-flavor or heavy-flavor
quarks is an important task for inferring the nature of particles produced in
high-energy collisions. The large and variable dimensionality of the data
provided by the tracking detectors makes this task difficult. The current
state-of-the-art tools require expert data-reduction to convert the data into a
fixed low-dimensional form that can be effectively managed by shallow
classifiers. We study the application of deep networks to this task, attempting
classification at several levels of data, starting from a raw list of tracks.
We find that the highest-level lowest-dimensionality expert information
sacrifices information needed for classification, that the performance of
current state-of-the-art taggers can be matched or slightly exceeded by
deep-network-based taggers using only track and vertex information, that
classification using only lowest-level highest-dimensionality tracking
information remains a difficult task for deep networks, and that adding
lower-level track and vertex information to the classifiers provides a
significant boost in performance compared to the state-of-the-art.


title: Attribute Learning for Network Intrusion Detection

abstract:
  Network intrusion detection is one of the most visible uses for Big Data
analytics. One of the main problems in this application is the constant rise of
new attacks. This scenario, characterized by the fact that not enough labeled
examples are available for the new classes of attacks is hardly addressed by
traditional machine learning approaches. New findings on the capabilities of
Zero-Shot learning (ZSL) approach makes it an interesting solution for this
problem because it has the ability to classify instances of unseen classes. ZSL
has inherently two stages: the attribute learning and the inference stage. In
this paper we propose a new algorithm for the attribute learning stage of ZSL.
The idea is to learn new values for the attributes based on decision trees
(DT). Our results show that based on the rules extracted from the DT a better
distribution for the attribute values can be found. We also propose an
experimental setup for the evaluation of ZSL on network intrusion detection
(NID).


title:
A 58.6mW Real-Time Programmable Object Detector with Multi-Scale
  Multi-Object Support Using Deformable Parts Model on 1920x1080 Video at 30fps

abstract:
  This paper presents a programmable, energy-efficient and real-time object
detection accelerator using deformable parts models (DPM), with 2x higher
accuracy than traditional rigid body models. With 8 deformable parts detection,
three methods are used to address the high computational complexity:
classification pruning for 33x fewer parts classification, vector quantization
for 15x memory size reduction, and feature basis projection for 2x reduction of
the cost of each classification. The chip is implemented in 65nm CMOS
technology, and can process HD (1920x1080) images at 30fps without any off-chip
storage while consuming only 58.6mW (0.94nJ/pixel, 1168 GOPS/W). The chip has
two classification engines to simultaneously detect two different classes of
objects. With a tested high throughput of 60fps, the classification engines can
be time multiplexed to detect even more than two object classes. It is energy
scalable by changing the pruning factor or disabling the parts classification.


title:
Symmetry Constraints in Inflation, $\alpha$-vacua, and the Three Point
  Function

abstract:
  The Ward identities for conformal symmetries in single field models of
inflation are studied in more detail in momentum space. For a class of
generalized single field models, where the inflaton action contains arbitrary
powers of the scalar and its first derivative, we find that the Ward identities
are valid. We also study a one-parameter family of vacua, called
$\alpha$-vacua, which preserve conformal invariance in de Sitter space. We find
that the Ward identities, upto contact terms, are met for the three point
function of a scalar field in the probe approximation in these vacua.
Interestingly, the corresponding non-Gaussian term in the wave function does
not satisfy the operator product expansion. For scalar perturbations in
inflation, in the $\alpha$-vacua, we find that the Ward identities are not
satisfied. We argue that this is because the back-reaction on the metric of the
full quantum stress tensor has not been self-consistently incorporated. We also
present a calculation, drawing on techniques from the AdS/CFT correspondence,
for the three point function of scalar perturbations in inflation in the
Bunch-Davies vacuum.


title: Exotic phase transitions of k-cores in clustered networks

abstract:
  The giant $k$-core --- maximal connected subgraph of a network where each
node has at least $k$ neighbors --- is important in the study of phase
transitions and in applications of network theory. Unlike Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi
graphs and other random networks where $k$-cores emerge discontinuously for
$k\ge 3$, we show that transitive linking (or triadic closure) leads to 3-cores
emerging through single or double phase transitions of both discontinuous and
continuous nature. We also develop a $k$-core calculation that includes
clustering and provides insights into how high-level connectivity emerges.


title: The Ancient Astronomy of Easter Island: Kirch's Comet

abstract:
  A fragment of the folklore text "Apai" that was once put down on Easter
Island contains a report about astronomical observations of Kirch's Comet or
the Great Comet of 1680-1681 A.D. (C/1680 V1) and the partial solar eclipse of
March 19, 1681 A.D. Some astronomical aspects of the local cult of bird-men
have been discussed, too.


title:
Observation of structural universality in disordered systems using bulk
  diffusion measurement

abstract:
  We report on an experimental observation of classical diffusion
distinguishing between structural universality classes of disordered systems in
one dimension. Samples of hyperuniform and short-range disorder were designed,
characterized by the statistics of the placement of $\mu$m-thin parallel
permeable barriers, and the time-dependent diffusion coefficient was measured
by NMR methods over three orders of magnitude in time. The relation between the
structural exponent, characterizing disorder universality class, and the
dynamical exponent of the diffusion coefficient is experimentally verified. The
experimentally established relation between structure and transport exemplifies
the hierarchical nature of structural complexity --- dynamics are mainly
determined by the universality class, whereas microscopic parameters affect the
non-universal coefficients. These results open the way for non-invasive
characterization of structural correlations in porous media, complex materials,
and biological tissues via a bulk diffusion measurement.


title: A note on completeness of weighted normed spaces of analytic functions

abstract:
  Given a non-negative weight $v$, not necessarily bounded or strictly
positive, defined on a domain $G$ in the complex plane, we consider the
weighted space $H_v^\infty(G)$ of all holomorphic functions on $G$ such that
the product $v|f|$ is bounded in $G$ and study the question of when is such a
space complete under the canonical sup-seminorm. We obtain both some necessary
and some sufficient conditions in terms of the weight $v$, exhibit several
relevant examples, and characterize completeness in the case of spaces with
radial weights on balanced domains.


title: Infection in Hypergraphs

abstract:
  In this paper a new parameter for hypergraphs called hypergraph infection is
defined. This concept generalizes zero forcing in graphs to hypergraphs. The
exact value of the infection number of complete and complete bipartite
hypergraphs is determined. A formula for the infection number for interval
hypergraphs and several families of cyclic hypergraphs is given. The value of
the infection number for a hypergraph whose edges form a symmetric t-design is
given, and bounds are determined for a hypergraph whose edges are a t-design.
Finally, the infection number for several hypergraph products and line graphs
are considered.


title:
A 3D dislocation dynamics analysis of the size effect on the strength of
  [111] LiF micropillars at 300K and 600K

abstract:
  The mechanical behavior in compression of [111] LiF micropillars with
diameters in the range 0.5 $\mu$m to 2.0 $\mu$m was analyzed by means of
discrete dislocation dynamics at ambient and elevated temperature. The
dislocation velocity was obtained from the Peach-Koehler force acting on the
dislocation segments from a thermally-activated model that accounted for the
influence of temperature on the lattice resistance. A size effect of the type
"smaller is stronger" was predicted by the simulations, which was in
quantitative agreement with previous experimental results by the authors
\cite{SWC14}. The contribution of the different physical deformation mechanisms
to the size effect (namely, nucleation of dislocations, dislocation exhaustion
and forest hardening) could be ascertained from the simulations and the
dominant deformation mode could be assessed as a function of the specimen size
and temperature. These results shed light into the complex interaction among
size, lattice resistance and dislocation mobility in the mechanical behavior of
$\mu$m-sized single crystals.


title: Effect of bars on the galaxy properties

abstract:
  Aims: With the aim of assessing the effects of bars on disc galaxy
properties, we present an analysis of different characteristics of spiral
galaxies with strong, weak and without bars. Method: We identified barred
galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. By visual inspection, we classified
the face-on spiral galaxies brighter than g<16.5 mag into strong-bar, weak-bar
and unbarred. In order to provide an appropiate quantification of the influence
of bars on galaxy properties, we also constructed a suitable control sample of
unbarred galaxies with similar redshift, magnitude, morphology, bulge sizes,
and local density environment distributions to that of barred galaxies.
Results: We found 522 strong-barred and 770 weak-barred galaxies, representing
a 25.82% of the full sample of spiral galaxies, in good agreement with previous
studies. We also found that strong-barred galaxies show less efficient star
formation activity and older stellar populations compared to weak-barred and
unbarred spirals from the control sample. In addition, there is a significant
excess of strong barred galaxies with red colors. The color-color and
color-magnitude diagrams show that unbarred and weak-barred galaxies are more
extended towards the blue zone, while strong-barred objects are mostly grouped
in the red region. Strong-barred galaxies present an important excess of high
metallicity values, compared to the other types, showing similar 12+log(O/H)
distributions. Regarding the mass-metallicity relation, we found that
weak-barred and unbarred galaxies are fitted by similar curves, while
strong-barred ones show a curve which falls abruptly, with more significance in
the range of low stellar masses (log[Mstar/Msun] < 10.0). These results would
indicate that prominent bars produced an accelerating effect on the gas
processing, reflected in the significant changes in the physical properties of
their host.


title: A Convex Model of Momentum Dynamics for Multi-Contact Motion Generation

abstract:
  Linear models for control and motion generation of humanoid robots have
received significant attention in the past years, not only due to their well
known theoretical guarantees, but also because of practical computational
advantages. However, to tackle more challenging tasks and scenarios such as
locomotion on uneven terrain, a more expressive model is required. In this
paper, we are interested in contact interaction-centered motion optimization
based on the momentum dynamics model. This model is non-linear and non-convex;
however, we find a relaxation of the problem that allows us to formulate it as
a single convex quadratically-constrained quadratic program (QCQP) that can be
very efficiently optimized. Furthermore, experimental results suggest that this
relaxation is tight and therefore useful for multi-contact planning. This
convex model is then coupled to the optimization of end-effector contacts
location using a mixed integer program, which can be solved in realtime. This
becomes relevant e.g. to recover from external pushes, where a predefined
stepping plan is likely to fail and an online adaptation of the contact
location is needed. The performance of our algorithm is demonstrated in several
multi-contact scenarios for humanoid robot.


title:
ALMA observations of the Th 28 protostellar disk - A new example of
  counter-rotation between disk and optical jet

abstract:
  Recently, differences in Doppler shifts across the base of four close
classical T Tauri star jets have been detected with the HST in optical and
near-ultraviolet (NUV) emission lines, and these Doppler shifts were
interpreted as rotation signatures under the assumption of steady state flow.
To support this interpretation, it is necessary that the underlying disks
rotate in the same sense. Agreement between disk rotation and jet rotation
determined from optical lines has been verified in two cases and rejected in
one case. Meanwhile, the NUV lines, which may trace faster and more collimated
inner spines of the jet than optical lines, either agree or show no clear
indication. We propose to perform this test on the fourth system, Th 28. We
present ALMA high angular resolution Band 7 continuum, 12CO(3-2) and 13CO(2-1)
observations of the circumstellar disk around the T Tauri star Th 28. We were
able to detect, in CO and continuum, clear signatures of a disk in Keplerian
rotation around Th28. The 12CO emission is resolved, allowing us to derive
estimates of disk position angle and inclination. The large velocity separation
of the peaks in 12CO, combined with the resolved extent of the emission,
indicate a central stellar mass in the range 1-2 Msun. The rotation sense of
the disk is well detected in both 13CO and 12CO emission lines, and this
direction is opposite to that implied by the transverse Doppler shifts measured
in the optical lines of the jet. The Th 28 system is the second system where
counter-rotation between the disk and the optical jet is detected. These
findings imply either that optical transverse velocity gradients detected with
HST do not trace jet rotation or that modeling the flow with the steady
assumption is not valid. In both cases jet rotation studies that rely solely on
optical lines are not suitable to derive the launching radius of the jet.


title:
Gauge Coupling Field, Currents, Anomalies and N=1 Super-Yang-Mills
  Effective Actions

abstract:
  Working with a gauge coupling field in a linear superfield, we construct
effective Lagrangians for N=1 super-Yang-Mills theory fully compatible with the
expected all-order behaviour or physical quantities. Using the one-loop
dependence on its ultraviolet cutoff and anomaly matching or cancellation of R
and dilatation anomalies, we obtain the Wilsonian effective Lagrangian. With
similar anomaly matching or cancellation methods, we derive the effective
action for gaugino condensates, as a function of the real coupling field. Both
effective actions lead to a derivation of the NSVZ beta function from algebraic
arguments only. The extension of results to N=2 theories or to matter systems
is briefly considered. The main tool for the discussion of anomalies is a
generic supercurrent structure with 16_B+16_F operators (the S multiplet),
which we derive using superspace identities and field equations for a fully
general gauge theory Lagrangian with the linear gauge coupling superfield, and
with various U(1)_R currents. As a byproduct, we show under which conditions
the S multiplet can be improved to contain the Callan-Coleman-Jackiw
energy-momentum tensor whose trace measures the breaking of scale invariance.


title:
Asymptotic properties of Principal Component Analysis and shrinkage-bias
  adjustment under the Generalized Spiked Population model

abstract:
  With the development of high-throughput technologies, principal component
analysis (PCA) in the high-dimensional regime is of great interest. Most of the
existing theoretical and methodological results for high-dimensional PCA are
based on the spiked population model in which all the population eigenvalues
are equal except for a few large ones. Due to the presence of local correlation
among features, however, this assumption may not be satisfied in many
real-world datasets. To address this issue, we investigated the asymptotic
behaviors of PCA under the generalized spiked population model. Based on the
theoretical results, we proposed a series of methods for the consistent
estimation of population eigenvalues, angles between the sample and population
eigenvectors, correlation coefficients between the sample and population
principal component (PC) scores, and the shrinkage bias adjustment for the
predicted PC scores. Using numerical experiments and real data examples from
the genetics literature, we showed that our methods can greatly reduce bias and
improve prediction accuracy.


title: Quartic Equations with Trivial Solutions over Gaussian Integers

abstract:
  In our work we study the equations of the form $aX^4+bX^2 Y^2+cY^4=dZ^2$ over
Gaussian integers by a method of the resolvents. We study as a new equations
$X^4+6X^2 Y^2+Y^4=Z^2$ (Mordell's equation over $\mathbb{Z}[i]$),
$X^4+6(1+i)X^2Y^2+2iY^4=Z^2$ and $X^4\pm Y^4=(1+ i)Z^2$ and give the new proofs
of the known theorems on $X^4+Y^4=Z^2$ (Fermat - Hilbert), $X^4\pm Y^4=iZ^2$
(Szab\'o - Najman).


title: Complete minimal submanifolds with nullity in Euclidean space

abstract:
  In this paper, we investigate minimal submanifolds in Euclidean space with
positive index of relative nullity. Let $M^m$ be a complete Riemannian manifold
and let $f\colon M^m\to\R^n$ be a minimal isometric immersion with index of
relative nullity at least $m-2$ at any point. We show that if the Omori-Yau
maximum principle for the Laplacian holds on $M^m$, for instance, if the scalar
curvature of $M^m$ does not decrease to $-\infty$ too fast or if the immersion
$f$ is proper, then the submanifold must be a cylinder over a minimal surface.


title: Parabolic NTA domains in $\mathbb R^2$

abstract:
  We show that each connected component of the boundary of a parabolic NTA
domain in $\mathbb R^2$ is given by a graph. We then apply this observation to
classify blowup solutions in $\mathbb R^2$ to a free boundary problem for
caloric measure first considered by Hofmann, Lewis and Nystr\"om (Duke Math J.
2004).


title:
Magnetic flux disorder and superconductor-insulator transition in
  nanohole thin films

abstract:
  We study the superconductor-insulator transition in nanohole ultrathin films
in a transverse magnetic field by numerical simulation of a Josephson-junction
array model. Geometrical disorder due to the random location of nanoholes in
the film corresponds to random flux in the array model. Monte Carlo simulation
in the path-integral representation is used to determine the critical behavior
and the universal resistivity at the transition as a function of disorder and
average number of flux quanta per cell, $f_o$. The resistivity increases with
disorder for noninteger $ f_o$ while it decreases for integer $ f_o$, and
reaches a common constant value in a vortex-glass regime above a critical value
of the flux disorder $D_f^c$. The estimate of $D_f^c$ and the resistivity
increase for noninteger $ f_o$ are consistent with recent experiments on
ultrathin superconducting films with positional disordered nanoholes.


title:
Brief description of the flavor-changing neutral scalar interactions at
  two-loop level

abstract:
  In this letter we show a general description about flavor-changing neutral
currents (FCNC) mediated by scalars. The analysis is extended at two-loop level
for the Two-Higgs Doublet Model type-III because others models have strong
constraints on its parameters, even at high orders of the perturbation. For
this letter we focus on the standard model, calculating the amplitude for the
$h \to \gamma \gamma$ process and discussing the results briefly.


title: Search for a lighter Higgs in Two Higgs Doublet Models

abstract:
  We consider present constraints on Two Higgs Doublet Models, both from the
LHC at Run 1 and from other sources in order to explore the possibility of
constraining a neutral scalar or pseudo-scalar particle lighter than the 125
GeV Higgs boson. Such a lighter particle is not yet completely excluded by
present data. We show with a simplified analysis that some new constraints
could be obtained at the LHC if such a search is performed by the experimental
collaborations, which we therefore encourage to continue carrying out light
diphoton resonance searches at $\sqrt{s}=$ 13 TeV in the context of Two Higgs
Doublet Models.


title:
Characterizing Complex Networks with Forman-Ricci Curvature and
  Associated Geometric Flows

abstract:
  We introduce Forman-Ricci curvature and its corresponding flow as
characteristics for complex networks attempting to extend the common approach
of node-based network analysis by edge-based characteristics. Following a
theoretical introduction and mathematical motivation, we apply the proposed
network-analytic methods to static and dynamic complex networks and compare the
results with established node-based characteristics. Our work suggests a number
of applications for data mining, including denoising and clustering of
experimental data, as well as extrapolation of network evolution.


title:
Dynamical decoherence of the light induced interlayer coupling in
  YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{6+\delta}$

abstract:
  Optical excitation of apical oxygen vibrations in
YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{6+\delta}$ has been shown to enhance its c-axis
superconducting-phase rigidity, as evidenced by a transient blue shift of the
equilibrium inter-bilayer Josephson plasma resonance. Surprisingly, a transient
c-axis plasma mode could also be induced above T$_{c}$ by the same apical
oxygen excitation, suggesting light activated superfluid tunneling throughout
the pseudogap phase of YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{6+\delta}$. However, despite the
similarities between the above T$_{c}$ transient plasma mode and the
equilibrium Josephson plasmon, alternative explanations involving high mobility
quasiparticle transport should be considered. Here, we report an extensive
study of the relaxation of the light-induced plasmon into the equilibrium
incoherent phase. These new experiments allow for a critical assessment of the
nature of this mode. We determine that the transient plasma relaxes through a
collapse of its coherence length rather than its carrier (or superfluid)
density. These observations are not easily reconciled with quasiparticle
interlayer transport, and rather support transient superfluid tunneling as the
origin of the light-induced interlayer coupling in
YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{6+\delta}$.


title: Identifying Unvaccinated Individuals in Canada: A Predictive Model

abstract:
  Recently, the media and public health officials have become increasingly
aware of the rise in anti-vaccine sentiment. Vaccinations have numerous health
benefits for immunized individuals as well as for the general public through
herd immunity. Given the rise in immunization-preventable diseases, a
consequence of people opting out of their routine vaccinations, we determined
that Canadian health data can identify individuals over the age of 60 who chose
not to get vaccinated (80.1% negative predictive value) and individuals under
the age of 60 who have recently been vaccinated (96.4% positive predictive
value). Using the 2009-2014 Canadian Community Health Surveys (CCHS), a probit
model identified the variables that were most commonly associated with flu
vaccination outcomes. Of 1,381 variables, 47 with the most significant marginal
effects were selected, including the presence of diseases (e.g. diabetes and
cancer), behavioral characteristics (e.g. smoking and exercise), exposure to
the medical system (e.g. whether the individual gets a regular check-up), and a
person's living situation (e.g. having young children in the household). These
variables were then used to generate a Random Forest classification model,
trained on the 2009-2013 dataset, and tested on the 2014 dataset. We achieved
an overall accuracy of 87.8% between the two final models, each using 25
classification trees with bounded depth of 20 nodes, randomly selecting from
all 47 variables. With the two proposed policies, this model can be leveraged
to efficiently allocate vaccination promotion efforts. Additionally, it can be
applied to future surveys, only requiring 3.6% of the variables in the CCHS for
successful prediction.


title:
Relief of Frustration in the Heisenberg Pyrochlore Antiferromagnet
  Gd$_2$Pt$_2$O$_7$

abstract:
  The gadolinium pyrochlores, Gd$_2B_2$O$_7$, are amongst the best realizations
of antiferromagnetically coupled Heisenberg spins on a pyrochlore lattice. We
present a magnetic characterization of Gd$_2$Pt$_2$O$_7$, a unique member of
this family. Magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and muon spin relaxation
measurements show that Gd$_2$Pt$_2$O$_7$ undergoes an antiferromagnetic
ordering transition at $T_N = 1.6$ K. This transition is strongly first order,
as indicated by the sharpness of the heat capacity anomaly, thermal hysteresis
in the magnetic susceptibility, and a non-divergent relaxation rate in $\mu$SR.
The form of the heat capacity below $T_N$ suggests that the ground state is an
anisotropic collinear antiferromagnet with an excitation spectrum that is
gapped by 0.245(1) meV. The ordering temperature in Gd$_2$Pt$_2$O$_7$, $T_N =
1.6$ K, is a substantial 160% increase from other gadolinium pyrochlores, which
have been found to order at 1 K or lower. We attribute this enhancement in
$T_N$ to the $B$-site cation, platinum, which, despite being non-magnetic, has
a filled $5d$ $t_{2g}$ orbital and an empty $5d$ $e_g$ orbital that can
facilitate superexchange. Thus, the magnetic frustration in Gd$_2$Pt$_2$O$_7$
is partially "relieved", thereby promoting magnetic order.


title:
Optical Identification of Cepheids in 19 Host Galaxies of Type Ia
  Supernovae and NGC 4258 with the Hubble Space Telescope

abstract:
  We present results of an optical search for Cepheid variable stars using the
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in 19 hosts of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and the
maser-host galaxy NGC 4258, conducted as part of the SH0ES project (Supernovae
and H0 for the Equation of State of dark energy). The targets include 9 newly
imaged SN Ia hosts using a novel strategy based on a long-pass filter that
minimizes the number of HST orbits required to detect and accurately determine
Cepheid properties. We carried out a homogeneous reduction and analysis of all
observations, including new universal variability searches in all SN Ia hosts,
that yielded a total of 2200 variables with well-defined selection criteria --
the largest such sample identified outside the Local Group. These objects are
used in a companion paper to determine the local value of H0 with a total
uncertainty of 2.4%.


title:
General Automatic Human Shape and Motion Capture Using Volumetric
  Contour Cues

abstract:
  Markerless motion capture algorithms require a 3D body with properly
personalized skeleton dimension and/or body shape and appearance to
successfully track a person. Unfortunately, many tracking methods consider
model personalization a different problem and use manual or semi-automatic
model initialization, which greatly reduces applicability. In this paper, we
propose a fully automatic algorithm that jointly creates a rigged actor model
commonly used for animation - skeleton, volumetric shape, appearance, and
optionally a body surface - and estimates the actor's motion from multi-view
video input only. The approach is rigorously designed to work on footage of
general outdoor scenes recorded with very few cameras and without background
subtraction. Our method uses a new image formation model with analytic
visibility and analytically differentiable alignment energy. For
reconstruction, 3D body shape is approximated as Gaussian density field. For
pose and shape estimation, we minimize a new edge-based alignment energy
inspired by volume raycasting in an absorbing medium. We further propose a new
statistical human body model that represents the body surface, volumetric
Gaussian density, as well as variability in skeleton shape. Given any
multi-view sequence, our method jointly optimizes the pose and shape parameters
of this model fully automatically in a spatiotemporal way.


title:
Geometry of minimizers for the interaction energy with mildly repulsive
  potentials

abstract:
  We show that the support of any local minimizer of the interaction energy
consists of isolated points whenever the interaction potential is of class
$C^2$ and mildly repulsive at the origin; moreover, if the minimizer is global,
then its support is finite. In addition, for some class of potentials we prove
the validity of a uniform upper bound on the cardinal of the support of a
global minimizer. Finally, in the one-dimensional case, we give quantitative
bounds.


title:
Einstein's equations from Einstein's inertial motion and Newton's law
  for relative acceleration

abstract:
  We show that Einstein's $R^{\hat{0} \hat{0}}$ equation for nonrelativistic
matter and strong gravitational fields is identical with Newton's equation for
relative radial acceleration of neighbouring freefalling particles, spherically
averaged. These laws are explicitely identical with primary observer's (1)
space-time slicing by radial 4-geodesics, (2) radially parallel Local
Ortho-Normal Bases, LONBs, (3) Riemann normal 3-coordinates. Hats on indices
denote LONBs. General relativity follows from Newton's law of relative
acceleration, Einstein's inertial motion, Lorentz covariance, and
energy-momentum conservation combined with Bianchi identity. The gravitational
field equation of Newton-Gauss and Einstein's $R^{\hat{0} \hat{0}}$ equation
are identical and linear in gravitational field for an inertial primary
observer.---
  Einstein's equivalence between fictitious forces and gravitational forces is
formulated as equivalence theorem in the equations of motion. With this, the
gravitational field equation of 19th-century Newtonian physics and Einstein's
equation for $R^{\hat{0} \hat{0}}$ are identical and bilinear in the
gravitational forces for non-inertial primary observers.---
  $R^{\hat{0} \hat{0}} = - div \vec{E}_g$ and $2 R^{\hat{i} \hat{0}} = - (curl
\vec{B}_g)^{\hat{i}}$ hold exactly for inertial primary observers, if one uses
our LONB's. The gravitational $\vec{E}_g, \vec{B}_g $ are measured exactly with
quasistatic particles via $(d/dt) p_{\hat{i}}$ and $(d/dt) S_{\hat{i}}$ in
correspondence with the electromagnetic $\vec{E}$ and $\vec{B}$. The
$(\vec{E}_g, \vec{B}_g)$ are identical with the observer's Ricci connection
along his worldline, $(\omega_{\hat{a} \hat{b}})_{\hat{0}}$.


title: A dynamic magneto-optical trap for atom chips

abstract:
  We describe a dynamic magneto-optical trap (MOT) suitable for the use with
vacuum systems in which optical access is limited to a single window. This
technique facilitates the long-standing desire of producing integrated atom
chips, many of which are likely to have severely restricted optical access
compared with conventional vacuum chambers. This "switching-MOT" relies on the
synchronized pulsing of optical and magnetic fields at audio frequencies. The
trap's beam geometry is obtained using a planar mirror surface, and does not
require a patterned substrate or bulky optics inside the vacuum chamber.
Central to the design is a novel magnetic field geometry that requires no
external quadrupole or bias coils which leads toward a very compact system. We
have implemented the trap for $^{85}$Rb and shown that it is capable of
capturing 2 million atoms and directly cooling below the Doppler temperature.


title: Intermediate coherent-incoherent charge transport: DNA as a case study

abstract:
  We study an intermediate quantum coherent-incoherent charge transport
mechanism in metal-molecule-metal junctions using B\"uttiker's probe technique.
This tool allows us to include incoherent effects in a controlled manner, and
thus to study situations in which partial decoherence affects charge transfer
dynamics. Motivated by recent experiments on intermediate coherent-incoherent
charge conduction in DNA molecules [L. Xiang {\it et al.}, Nature Chem. 7,
221-226 (2015)], we focus on two representative structures: alternating
(GC)$_n$ and stacked G$_n$C$_n$ sequences; the latter structure is argued to
support charge delocalization within G segments, and thus an intermediate
coherent-incoherent conduction. We begin our analysis with a highly simplified
1-dimensional tight-binding model, while introducing environmental effects
through B\"uttiker's probes. This minimal model allows us to gain fundamental
understanding of transport mechanisms and derive analytic results for molecular
resistance in different limits. We then use a more detailed ladder-model
Hamiltonian to represent double-stranded DNA structures---with environmental
effects captured by B\"uttiker's probes. We find that hopping conduction
dominates in alternating sequences, while in stacked sequences charge
delocalization (visualized directly through the electronic density matrix)
supports significant resonant-ballistic charge dynamics reflected by an
even-odd effect and a weak distance dependence for resistance. Our analysis
illustrates that lessons learned from minimal models are helpful for
interpreting charge dynamics in DNA.


title:
Canonical singularities of dimension three in characteristic 2 which do
  not follow Reid's rules

abstract:
  We continue to study and present concrete examples in characteristic 2 of
compound Du Val singularities defined over an algebraically closed field which
have one dimensional singular loci but cannot be written as products (a
rational double point) x (a curve) up to analytic isomorphism at any point of
the loci. Unlike in other characteristics, we find a large number of such
examples whose general hyperplane sections have rational double points of type
D. We consider these compound Du Val singularities as a special class of
canonical singularities, intend to complete classification in arbitrary
characteristic reinforcing Miles Reid's result in characteristic zero.


title: Introspective Perception: Learning to Predict Failures in Vision Systems

abstract:
  As robots aspire for long-term autonomous operations in complex dynamic
environments, the ability to reliably take mission-critical decisions in
ambiguous situations becomes critical. This motivates the need to build systems
that have situational awareness to assess how qualified they are at that moment
to make a decision. We call this self-evaluating capability as introspection.
In this paper, we take a small step in this direction and propose a generic
framework for introspective behavior in perception systems. Our goal is to
learn a model to reliably predict failures in a given system, with respect to a
task, directly from input sensor data. We present this in the context of
vision-based autonomous MAV flight in outdoor natural environments, and show
that it effectively handles uncertain situations.


title:
Lois locales de la fonction $\omega$ dans presque tous les petits
  intervalles

abstract:
  For $k\geq 1$ an integer and $x\geq 1$ a real number, let $\pi_k(x)$ be the
number of integers smaller than $x$ having exactly $k$ distinct prime divisors.
Building on recent work of Matom\"aki and Radziwi\l\l, we investigate the
asymptotic behavior of $\pi_k(x+h)-\pi_k(x)$ for almost all $x$, when $h$ is
very small. We obtain optimal results for $k\asymp\log_2 x$ and close to
optimal results for $5\leq k\leq\log_2 x$. Our method also applies to
$y$-friable integers in almost all intervals $[x,x+h]$ when $\frac{\log x}{\log
y}\leq (\log x)^{1/6-\varepsilon}$.


title: Ergodic statistical models: entropic dynamics and chaos

abstract:
  We present an extension of the ergodic, mixing and Bernoulli levels of the
ergodic hierarchy in dynamical systems, the information geometric ergodic
hierarchy (IGEH), making use of statistical models on curved manifolds in the
context of information geometry. We discuss the $2\times 2$ Gaussian Orthogonal
Ensembles (GOE) within a $2D$ correlated model. For $r$ vanishingly small, we
find that GOE belong to the information geometric (IG) mixing level having a
maximum negative value of scalar curvature. Moreover, we propose a measure of
distinguishability for the family of distributions of the $2D$ correlated model
that results to be an upper bound of the IG correlation.


title:
Tracing extended low-velocity shocks through SiO emission - Case study
  of the W43-MM1 ridge

abstract:
  Previous literature suggests that the densest structures in the interstellar
medium form through colliding flows, but patent evidence of this process is
still missing. Recent literature proposes using SiO line emission to trace
low-velocity shocks associated with cloud formation through collision. In this
paper we investigate the bright and extended SiO(2-1) emission observed along
the ~5 pc-long W43-MM1 ridge to determine its origin. We used high angular
resolution images of the SiO(2-1) and HCN(1-0) emission lines obtained with the
IRAM plateau de Bure (PdBI) interferometer and combined with data from the IRAM
30 m radiotelescope. These data were complemented by a Herschel column density
map of the region. We performed spectral analysis of SiO and HCN emission line
profiles to identify protostellar outflows and spatially disentangle two
velocity components associated with low- and high-velocity shocks. Then, we
compared the low-velocity shock component to a dedicated grid of
one-dimensional (1D) radiative shock models. We find that the SiO emission
originates from a mixture of high-velocity shocks caused by bipolar outflows
and low-velocity shocks. Using SiO and HCN emission lines, we extract seven
bipolar outflows associated with massive dense cores previously identified
within the W43-MM1 mini-starburst cluster. Comparing observations with
dedicated Paris-Durham shock models constrains the velocity of the low-velocity
shock component from 7 to 12km/s. The SiO arising from low-velocity shocks
spreads along the complete length of the ridge. Its contribution represents at
least 45% and up to 100% of the total SiO emission depending on the area
considered. The low-velocity component of SiO is most likely associated with
the ridge formation through colliding flows or cloud-cloud collision.


title:
Moderate deviations for stochastic models of two-dimensional second
  grade fluids

abstract:
  In this paper, we prove a central limit theorem and estabilish a moderate
deviation principle for stochastic models of incompressible second fluids. The
weak convergence method inreoduced by [4] plays an important role.


title:
The role of singular spinor fields in a torsional gravity,
  Lorentz-violating, framework

abstract:
  In this work, we consider a generalization of quantum electrodynamics
including Lorentz violation and torsional-gravity, in the context of general
spinor fields as classified in the Lounesto scheme. Singular spinor fields will
be shown to be less sensitive to the Lorentz violation, as far as couplings
between the spinor bilinear covariants and torsion are regarded. In addition,
we prove that flagpole spinor fields do not admit minimal coupling to the
torsion. In general, mass dimension four couplings are deeply affected when
singular flagpole spinors are considered, instead of the usual Dirac spinors.
We also construct a mapping between spinors in the covariant framework and
spinors in Lorentz symmetry breaking scenarios, showing how one may
transliterate spinors of different classes between the two cases. Specific
examples concerning the mapping of Dirac spinor fields in Lorentz violating
scenarios into flagpole and flag-dipole spinors with full Lorentz invariance
(including the cases of Weyl and Majorana spinors) are worked out.


title:
Optimal Control of a Levy Inventory System: The Optimality of Control
  Band Policy

abstract:
  We consider an inventory system whose state is modeled by a L\'{e}vy process.
There are two types of costs--the running costs and the inventory control
costs. The running costs (also known as the holding/penalty costs) are incurred
continuously at some rate as a function of the inventory state. The inventory
control costs, incurred only when interventions of the inventory state are
placed, have both a fixed and a variable component. The objective is to
minimize the expectation of the infinite horizon discounted costs. We formulate
this as a stochastic impulse control problem. In our setting, we obtain
analytical results that are of significant implications. Specifically, we
establish the existence of the optimal control, and we provide the solution in
closed-form. More importantly, we prove the optimality of the simple control
band policy. Furthermore, we investigate the transient and the steady-state
behavior of the controlled process and the stochastic decomposition property.


title:
New Limits on Thermally annihilating Dark Matter from Neutrino
  Telescopes

abstract:
  We used a consistent and robust solar model to obtain upper limits placed by
neutrino telescopes, such as Ice- Cube and Super-Kamiokande, on the Dark
Matter-nucleon scattering cross-section, for a general model of Dark Matter
with a velocity dependent (p-wave) thermally averaged cross-section. In this
picture, the Boltzmann equation for the Dark Matter abundance is numerically
solved satisfying the Dark Matter density measured from the Cosmic Microwave
Background (CMB). We show that for lower cross-sections and higher masses, the
Dark Matter annihilation rate drops sharply, resulting in upper bounds on the
scattering cross-section one order of magnitude above those derived from a
velocity independent (s-wave) annihilation cross-section. Our results show that
upper limits on the scattering cross-section obtained from Dark Matter
annihilating in the Sun are sensible to the uncertainty in current standard
solar models, fluctuating a maximum of 20 % depending on the annihilation
channel.


title: Measuring and Modeling Bipartite Graphs with Community Structure

abstract:
  Network science is a powerful tool for analyzing complex systems in fields
ranging from sociology to engineering to biology. This paper is focused on
generative models of large-scale bipartite graphs, also known as two-way graphs
or two-mode networks. We propose two generative models that can be easily tuned
to reproduce the characteristics of real-world networks, not just
qualitatively, but quantitatively. The characteristics we consider are the
degree distributions and the metamorphosis coefficient. The metamorphosis
coefficient, a bipartite analogue of the clustering coefficient, is the
proportion of length-three paths that participate in length-four cycles. Having
a high metamorphosis coefficient is a necessary condition for close-knit
community structure. We define edge, node, and degreewise metamorphosis
coefficients, enabling a more detailed understanding of the bipartite
connectivity that is not explained by degree distribution alone. Our first
model, bipartite Chung-Lu (CL), is able to reproduce real-world degree
distributions, and our second model, bipartite block two-level Erd\"os-R\'enyi
(BTER), reproduces both the degree distributions as well as the degreewise
metamorphosis coefficients. We demonstrate the effectiveness of these models on
several real-world data sets.


title: Processes of rth Largest

abstract:
  For integers $n\geq r$, we treat the $r$th largest of a sample of size $n$ as
an $\mathbb{R}^\infty$-valued stochastic process in $r$ which we denote
$\mathbf{M}^{(r)}$. We show that the sequence regarded in this way satisfies
the Markov property. We go on to study the asymptotic behaviour of
$\mathbf{M}^{(r)}$ as $r\to\infty$, and, borrowing from classical extreme value
theory, show that left-tail domain of attraction conditions on the underlying
distribution of the sample guarantee weak limits for both the range of
$\mathbf{M}^{(r)}$ and $\mathbf{M}^{(r)}$ itself, after norming and centering.
In continuous time, an analogous process $\mathbf{Y}^{(r)}r$ based on a
two-dimensional Poisson process on $\mathbb{R}_+\times \mathbb{R}$ is treated
similarly, but we find that the continuous time problems have a distinctive
additional feature: there are always infinitely many points below the $r$th
highest point up to time $t$ for any $t>0$. This necessitates a different
approach to the asymptotics in this case.


title: Lattice Boltzmann Large Eddy Simulation Model of MHD

abstract:
  The work of Ansumali \textit{et al.}\cite{Ansumali} is extended to Two
Dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in which energy is cascaded to
small spatial scales and thus requires subgrid modeling. Applying large eddy
simulation (LES) modeling of the macroscopic fluid equations results in the
need to apply ad-hoc closure schemes. LES is applied to a suitable mesoscopic
lattice Boltzmann representation from which one can recover the MHD equations
in the long wavelength, long time scale Chapman-Enskog limit (i.e., the Knudsen
limit). Thus on first performing filter width expansions on the lattice
Boltzmann equations followed by the standard small Knudsen expansion on the
filtered lattice Boltzmann system results in a closed set of MHD turbulence
equations provided we enforce the physical constraint that the subgrid effects
first enter the dynamics at the transport time scales. In particular, a
multi-time relaxation collision operator is considered for the density
distribution function and a single relaxation collision operator for the vector
magnetic distribution function. The LES does not destroy the property that
$\nabla \cdot \mathbf B = 0$ automatically without the need for divergence
cleaning.


title:
One-Loop Corrections of Single Spin Asymmetries at Twist-3 in Drell-Yan
  Processes

abstract:
  We study single spin asymmetries at one-loop accuracy in Drell-Yan processes
in which one of the initial hadrons is transversely polarized. The
spin-dependent part of differential cross-sections can be factorized with
various hadronic matrix elements of twist-2 and twist-3 operators. These
operators can be of even- and odd-chirality. In this work, the studied
observables of asymmetries are differential cross-sections with different
weights. These weights are selected so that the observables are spin-dependent
and their virtual corrections are completely determined by quark form factor.
In the calculations of one-loop corrections we meet collinear divergences in
the contributions involving chirality-odd and chirality-even operators. We find
that all of the divergences can be correctly subtracted. Therefore, our results
give an explicit example of QCD factorization with twist-3 operators,
especially, QCD factorization with chirality-odd twist-3 operators.


title: Dephasing in strongly anisotropic black phosphorus

abstract:
  Weak localization was observed and determined in a black phosphorus (bP)
field-effect transistor 65 nm thick. The weak localization behaviour was found
to be in excellent agreement with the Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka model for fields up
to 1~T, from which characteristic scattering lengths could be inferred. The
dephasing length $L_\phi$ was found to increase linearly with increasing hole
density attaining a maximum value of 55 nm at a hole density of approximately
$10^{13} cm^{-2}$ inferred from the Hall effect. The temperature dependence of
$L_\phi$ was also investigated and above 1~K, it was found to decrease weaker
than the $L_\phi \propto T^{-\frac{1}{2}}$ dependence characteristic of
electron-electron scattering in the presence of elastic scattering in two
dimensions. Rather, the observed power law was found to be close to that
observed previously in other quasi-one-dimensional systems such as metallic
nanowires and carbon nanotubes. We attribute our result to the crystal
structure of bP which host a `puckered' honeycomb lattice forming a strongly
anisotropic medium


title: ABC in Nuclear Imaging

abstract:
  We consider the application of approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) in the
context of medical imaging data. We consider the parameter estimation of
compartmental models in PET imaging analysis, and provide a simple ABC
algorithm for its estimation. We demonstrate the utility of the proposed
estimation methods on a neurotransmitter response model, and compare our
approach to existing methods.


title:
Robust covariance estimation of galaxy-galaxy weak lensing: validation
  and limitation of jackknife covariance

abstract:
  We develop a method to simulate galaxy-galaxy weak lensing by utilizing
all-sky, light-cone simulations and their inherent halo catalogs. Using the
mock catalog to study the error covariance matrix of galaxy-galaxy weak
lensing, we compare the full covariance with the "jackknife" (JK) covariance,
the method often used in the literature that estimates the covariance from the
resamples of the data itself. We show that there exists the variation of JK
covariance over realizations of mock lensing measurements, while the average JK
covariance over mocks can give a reasonably accurate estimation of the true
covariance up to separations comparable with the size of JK subregion. The
scatter in JK covariances is found to be $\sim10\%$ after we subtract the
lensing measurement around random points. However, the JK method tends to
underestimate the covariance at the larger separations, more increasingly for a
survey with a higher number density of source galaxies. We apply our method to
the the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data, and show that the 48 mock SDSS
catalogs nicely reproduce the signals and the JK covariance measured from the
real data. We then argue that the use of the accurate covariance, compared to
the JK covariance, allows us to use the lensing signals at large scales beyond
a size of the JK subregion, which contains cleaner cosmological information in
the linear regime.


title:
Superconductivity and non-Fermi-liquid behavior in the heavy-fermion
  compound CeCo$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$In$_5$

abstract:
  The effect of off-plane impurity on superconductivity and non-Fermi-liquid
(NFL) behavior in the layered heavy-fermion compound CeCo$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$In$_5$
is investigated by specific heat, magnetization, and electrical resistivity
measurements. These measurements reveal that the superconducting (SC)
transition temperature T$_c$ monotonically decreases from 2.3 K (x=0) to 0.8 K
(x=0.20) with increasing x, and then the SC order disappears above x=0.25. At
the same time, the Ni substitution yields the NFL behavior at zero field for
x=0.25, characterized by the -ln T divergence in specific heat divided by
temperature, C$_p$/T, and magnetic susceptibility, M/B. The NFL behavior in
magnetic fields for x=0.25 is quite similar to that seen at around the SC upper
critical field in pure CeCoIn$_5$, suggesting that both compounds are governed
by the same antiferromagnetic quantum criticality. The resemblance of the
doping effect on the SC order among Ni- , Sn-, and Pt-substituted CeCoIn5
supports the argument that the doped carriers are primarily responsible for the
breakdown of the SC order. The present investigation further reveals the
quantitative differences in the trends of the suppression of superconductivity
between Ce(Co,Ni)In$_5$ and the other alloys, such as the rates of decrease in
T$_c$, dT$_c$/dx, and specific heat jump at T$_c$, d($\Delta$C$_p$/T$_c$)/dx.
We suggest that the occupied positions of the doped ions play an important role
in the origin of these differences.


title:
A Density-Based Approach to the Retrieval of Top-K Spatial Textual
  Clusters

abstract:
  Keyword-based web queries with local intent retrieve web content that is
relevant to supplied keywords and that represent points of interest that are
near the query location. Two broad categories of such queries exist. The first
encompasses queries that retrieve single spatial web objects that each satisfy
the query arguments. Most proposals belong to this category. The second
category, to which this paper's proposal belongs, encompasses queries that
support exploratory user behavior and retrieve sets of objects that represent
regions of space that may be of interest to the user. Specifically, the paper
proposes a new type of query, namely the top-k spatial textual clusters (k-STC)
query that returns the top-k clusters that (i) are located the closest to a
given query location, (ii) contain the most relevant objects with regard to
given query keywords, and (iii) have an object density that exceeds a given
threshold. To compute this query, we propose a basic algorithm that relies on
on-line density-based clustering and exploits an early stop condition. To
improve the response time, we design an advanced approach that includes three
techniques: (i) an object skipping rule, (ii) spatially gridded posting lists,
and (iii) a fast range query algorithm. An empirical study on real data
demonstrates that the paper's proposals offer scalability and are capable of
excellent performance.


title: Computing minimum cuts in hypergraphs

abstract:
  We study algorithmic and structural aspects of connectivity in hypergraphs.
Given a hypergraph $H=(V,E)$ with $n = |V|$, $m = |E|$ and $p = \sum_{e \in E}
|e|$ the best known algorithm to compute a global minimum cut in $H$ runs in
time $O(np)$ for the uncapacitated case and in $O(np + n^2 \log n)$ time for
the capacitated case. We show the following new results.
  1. Given an uncapacitated hypergraph $H$ and an integer $k$ we describe an
algorithm that runs in $O(p)$ time to find a subhypergraph $H'$ with sum of
degrees $O(kn)$ that preserves all edge-connectivities up to $k$ (a
$k$-sparsifier). This generalizes the corresponding result of Nagamochi and
Ibaraki from graphs to hypergraphs. Using this sparsification we obtain an $O(p
+ \lambda n^2)$ time algorithm for computing a global minimum cut of $H$ where
$\lambda$ is the minimum cut value.
  2. We generalize Matula's argument for graphs to hypergraphs and obtain a
$(2+\epsilon)$-approximation to the global minimum cut in a capacitated
hypergraph in $O(\frac{1}{\epsilon} (p \log n + n \log^2 n))$ time.
  3. We show that a hypercactus representation of all the global minimum cuts
of a capacitated hypergraph can be computed in $O(np + n^2 \log n)$ time and
$O(p)$ space.
  We utilize vertex ordering based ideas to obtain our results. Unlike graphs
we observe that there are several different orderings for hypergraphs which
yield different insights.


title: Convergence of the Stochastic Six-Vertex Model to the ASEP

abstract:
  In this note we establish the convergence of the stochastic six-vertex model
to the one-dimensional asymmetric simple exclusion process, under a certain
limit regime recently predicted by Borodin-Corwin-Gorin. This convergence holds
for arbitrary initial data.