title: Multipartite Cellular Automata and the Superposition Principle

abstract:
  Cellular automata can show well known features of quantum mechanics, such as
a linear updating rule that resembles a discretized form of the Schr\"odinger
equation together with its conservation laws. Surprisingly, a whole class of
"natural" Hamiltonian cellular automata, which are based entirely on
integer-valued variables and couplings and derived from an Action Principle,
can be mapped reversibly to continuum models with the help of Sampling Theory.
This results in "deformed" quantum mechanical models with a finite discreteness
scale $l$, which for $l\rightarrow 0$ reproduce the familiar continuum limit.
Presently, we show, in particular, how such automata can form "multipartite"
systems consistently with the tensor product structures of nonrelativistic
many-body quantum mechanics, while maintaining the linearity of dynamics.
Consequently, the Superposition Principle is fully operative already on the
level of these primordial discrete deterministic automata, including the
essential quantum effects of interference and entanglement.


title:
Representing sparse Gaussian DAGs as sparse R-vines allowing for
  non-Gaussian dependence

abstract:
  Modeling dependence in high dimensional systems has become an increasingly
important topic. Most approaches rely on the assumption of a multivariate
Gaussian distribution such as statistical models on directed acyclic graphs
(DAGs). They are based on modeling conditional independencies and are scalable
to high dimensions. In contrast, vine copula models accommodate more elaborate
features like tail dependence and asymmetry, as well as independent modeling of
the marginals. This flexibility comes however at the cost of exponentially
increasing complexity for model selection and estimation. We show a novel
connection between DAGs with limited number of parents and truncated vine
copulas under sufficient conditions. This motivates a more general procedure
exploiting the fast model selection and estimation of sparse DAGs while
allowing for non-Gaussian dependence using vine copulas. We demonstrate in a
simulation study and using a high dimensional data application that our
approach outperforms standard methods for vine structure estimation.


title:
High- and low-conductance NMDA receptors are present in layer 4 spiny
  stellate and layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons of mouse barrel cortex

abstract:
  NMDA receptors are ion channels activated by the neurotransmitter glutamate
in the mammalian brain and are important in synaptic function and plasticity,
but are also found in extrasynaptic locations and influence neuronal
excitability. There are different NMDA receptor subtypes which differ in their
single-channel conductance. Recently, synaptic plasticity has been studied in
mouse barrel cortex, the primary sensory cortex for input from the animal's
whiskers. Pharmacological data imply the presence of low-conductance NMDA
receptors in spiny stellate neurons of cortical layer 4, but of
high-conductance NMDA receptors in pyramidal neurons of layer 2/3. Here, to
obtain complementary electrophysiological information on the functional NMDA
receptors expressed in layer 4 and layer 2/3 neurons, single NMDA receptor
currents were recorded with the patch-clamp method. Both cell types were found
to contain high-conductance as well as low-conductance NMDA receptors. The
results are consistent with the reported pharmacological data on synaptic
plasticity, and with previous claims of a prominent role of low-conductance
NMDA receptors in layer 4 spiny stellate neurons, including broad integration,
amplification and distribution of excitation within the barrel in response to
whisker stimulation, as well as modulation of excitability by ambient
glutamate. However, layer 4 cells also expressed high-conductance NMDA
receptors. The presence of low-conductance NMDA receptors in layer 2/3
pyramidal neurons suggests that some of these functions may be shared with
layer 4 spiny stellate neurons.


title: Lois de r\'epartition des diviseurs des entiers friables

abstract:
  According to a general probabilistic principle, the natural divisors of
friable integers (i.e.~free of large prime factors) should normally present a
Gaussian distribution. We show that this indeed is the case with conditional
density tending to 1 as soon as the standard necessary conditions are met.
Furthermore, we provide explicit, essentially optimal estimates for the decay
of the involved error terms. The size of the exceptional set is sufficiently
small to enable recovery of the average behaviour in the same optimal range.
Our argument combines the saddle-point method with new large deviations
estimates for the distribution of certain additive functions.


title: Implementing OpenSHMEM for the Adapteva Epiphany RISC Array Processor

abstract:
  The energy-efficient Adapteva Epiphany architecture exhibits massive
many-core scalability in a physically compact 2D array of RISC cores with a
fast network-on-chip (NoC). With fully divergent cores capable of MIMD
execution, the physical topology and memory-mapped capabilities of the core and
network translate well to partitioned global address space (PGAS) parallel
programming models. Following an investigation into the use of two-sided
communication using threaded MPI, one-sided communication using SHMEM is being
explored. Here we present work in progress on the development of an OpenSHMEM
1.2 implementation for the Epiphany architecture.


title: Note on Optimal Trees for Parallel Hash Functions

abstract:
  A recent work shows how we can optimize a tree based mode of operation for a
rate 1 hash function. In particular, an algorithm and a theorem are presented
for selecting a good tree topology in order to optimize both the running time
and the number of processors at each step of the computation. Because this
paper deals only with trees having their leaves at the same depth, the number
of saved computing resources is perfectly optimal only for this category of
trees. In this note, we address the more general case and describe a simple
algorithm which, starting from such a tree topology, reworks it to further
reduce the number of processors and the total amount of work done to hash a
message.


title:
Advances in Run-Time Performance and Interoperability for the Adapteva
  Epiphany Coprocessor

abstract:
  The energy-efficient Adapteva Epiphany architecture exhibits massive
many-core scalability in a physically compact 2D array of RISC cores with a
fast network-on-chip (NoC). The architecture presents many features and
constraints which contribute to software design challenges for the application
developer. Addressing these challenges within the software stack that supports
application development is critical to improving productivity and expanding the
range of applications for the architecture. We report here on advances that
have been made in the COPRTHR-2 software stack targeting the Epiphany
architecture that address critical issues identified in previous work.
Specifically, we describe improvements that bring greater control and precision
to the design of compact compiled binary programs in the context of the limited
per-core local memory of the architecture. We describe a new design for
run-time support that has been implemented to dramatically improve the program
load and execute performance and capabilities. Finally, we describe
developments that advance host-coprocessor interoperability to expand the
functionality available to the application developer.


title:
Understanding the shortened lifetime of
  \boldmath$\isotope[3][\Lambda]{H}$\unboldmath

abstract:
  The lifetime of the hypertriton $\isotope[3][\Lambda]{H}$ has been recently
measured as significantly shorter than that of the free $\Lambda$. We present
an explanation based on a change of the intrinsic hyperon decay due to the
nuclear environment.


title: Polylogarithms for $GL_2$ over totally real fields

abstract:
  We give a new, purely topological construction of Eisenstein cohomology
classes for Hilbert-Blumenthal varieties using the polylogarithm for families
of topological tori and a decomposition with respect to the units in the center
of $GL_2$. These classes are explicitly calculated in de Rham chomology and
compared with Harder's Eisenstein classes. For non-trivial coefficient systems
the whole Eisenstein cohomology in positive degrees is generated by these
topological Eisenstein classes. This gives an alternative proof for the
rationality of Harder's Eisenstein operator without using any multiplicity one
arguments. The text constitutes my 2016 Regensburg PhD thesis.


title:
Direct Measurement of the Mass Difference of Ho163 and Dy163 Solves the
  Q-Value Puzzle for the Neutrino Mass Determination

abstract:
  The atomic mass difference of 163Ho and 163Dy has been directly measured with
the Penning trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP applying the novel phase imaging
ion cyclotron resonance technique. Our measurement has solved the long standing
problem of large discrepancies in the Q value of the electron capture in 163Ho
determined by different techniques. Our measured mass difference shifts the
current Q value of 2555(16) eV evaluated in the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2012 [G.
Audi et al., Chin. Phys. C 36, 1157 (2012)] by more than 7 sigma to
2833(30stat)(15sys) eV/c2. With the new mass difference it will be possible,
e.g., to reach in the first phase of the ECHo experiment a statistical
sensitivity to the neutrino mass below 10 eV, which will reduce its present
upper limit by more than an order of magnitude.


title:
A comparison of functional summary statistics to detect anisotropy of
  three-dimensional point patterns

abstract:
  The growing availability of three-dimensional point process data asks for a
development of suitable analysis techniques. In this paper, we focus on two
recently developed summary statistics, the conical and the cylindrical
$K$-function, which may be used to detect anisotropies in 3D point patterns. We
give some recommendations on choosing their arguments and investigate their
ability to detect two special types of anisotropy. Finally, both functions are
compared on some real data sets from neuroscience and glaciology.


title: Hints for new sources of flavour violation in meson mixing

abstract:
  The recent results by the Fermilab Lattice and MILC collaborations on the
hadronic matrix elements entering $B_{d,s}-\bar B_{d,s}$ mixing show a
significant tension of the measured values of the mass differences $\Delta
M_{d,s}$ with their SM predictions. We review the implications of these results
in the context of Constrained Minimal Flavour Violation models. In these
models, the CKM elements $\gamma$ and $|V_{ub}|/|V_{cb}|$ can be determined
from $B_{d,s}-\bar B_{d,s}$ mixing observables, yielding a prediction for
$\gamma$ below its tree-level value. Determining subsequently $|V_{cb}|$ from
the measured value of either $\Delta M_s$ or $\varepsilon_K$ gives inconsistent
results, with the tension being smallest in the Standard Model limit. This
tension can be resolved if the flavour universality of new contributions to
$\Delta F = 2$ observables is broken. We briefly discuss the case of $U(2)^3$
flavour models as an illustrative example.


title:
Modeling Electrical Daily Demand in Presence of PHEVs in Smart Grids
  with Supervised Learning

abstract:
  Replacing a portion of current light duty vehicles (LDV) with plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles (PHEVs) offers the possibility to reduce the dependence on
petroleum fuels together with environmental and economic benefits. The charging
activity of PHEVs will certainly introduce new load to the power grid. In the
framework of the development of a smarter grid, the primary focus of the
present study is to propose a model for the electrical daily demand in presence
of PHEVs charging. Expected PHEV demand is modeled by the PHEV charging time
and the starting time of charge according to real world data. A normal
distribution for starting time of charge is assumed. Several distributions for
charging time are considered: uniform distribution, Gaussian with positive
support, Rician distribution and a non-uniform distribution coming from driving
patterns in real-world data. We generate daily demand profiles by using
real-world residential profiles throughout 2014 in the presence of different
expected PHEV demand models. Support vector machines (SVMs), a set of
supervised machine learning models, are employed in order to find the best
model to fit the data. SVMs with radial basis function (RBF) and polynomial
kernels were tested. Model performances are evaluated by means of mean squared
error (MSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Best results are
obtained with RBF kernel: maximum (worst) values for MSE and MAPE were about
2.89 10-8 and 0.023, respectively.


title: Toward an Evolutionary-Predictive Foundation for Creativity

abstract:
  Dietrich and Haider (2014) justify their integrative framework for creativity
founded on evolutionary theory and prediction research on the grounds that
"theories and approaches guiding empirical research on creativity have not been
supported by the neuroimaging evidence". Although this justification is
controversial, the general direction holds promise. This commentary clarifies
points of disagreement and unresolved issues, and addresses mis-applications of
evolutionary theory that lead the authors to adopt a Darwinian (versus
Lamarckian) approach. To say that creativity is Darwinian is not to say that it
consists of variation plus selection---in the everyday sense of the term---as
the authors imply; it is to say that evolution is occurring because selection
is affecting the distribution of randomly generated heritable variation across
generations. In creative thought the distribution of variants is not key, i.e.,
one is not inclined toward idea A because 60% of one's candidate ideas are
variants of A while only 40% are variants of B; one is inclined toward
whichever seems best. The authors concede that creative variation is partly
directed; however, the greater the extent to which variants are generated
non-randomly, the greater the extent to which the distribution of variants can
reflect not selection but the initial generation bias. Since each thought in a
creative process can alter the selective criteria against which the next is
evaluated, there is no demarcation into generations as assumed in a Darwinian
model. We address the authors' claim that reduced variability and individuality
are more characteristic of Lamarckism than Darwinian evolution, and note that a
Lamarckian approach to creativity has addressed the challenge of modeling the
emergent features associated with insight.


title: The uninvited guest in mixed derivative Ho\v{r}ava Gravity

abstract:
  We revisit the mixed derivative extension of Ho\v{r}ava gravity which was
designed to address the naturalness problems of the standard theory in the
presence of matter couplings. We consider the minimal theory with mixed
derivative terms that contain two spatial and two temporal derivatives.
Including all terms compatible with the (modified) scaling rules and the
foliation preserving diffeomorphisms, we calculate the dispersion relations of
propagating modes. We find that the theory contains four propagating degrees of
freedom, as opposed to three in the standard Ho\v{r}ava gravity. The new degree
of freedom is another scalar graviton and it is unstable at low energies. Our
result brings tension to the Lorentz violation suppression mechanism that
relies on separation of scales.


title:
Hall Response and Edge Current Dynamics in Chern Insulators out of
  Equilibrium

abstract:
  We investigate the transport properties of Chern insulators following a
quantum quench between topological and non-topological phases. Recent works
have shown that this yields an excited state for which the Chern number is
preserved under unitary evolution. However, this does not imply the
preservation of other physical observables, as we stressed in our previous
work. Here we provide an analysis of the Hall response following a quantum
quench in an isolated system, with explicit results for the Haldane model. We
show that the Hall conductance is no longer related to the Chern number in the
post-quench state, in agreement with previous work. We also examine the
dynamics of the edge currents in finite-size systems with open boundary
conditions along one direction. We show that the late-time behavior is captured
by a Generalized Gibbs Ensemble, after multiple traversals of the sample. We
discuss the effects of generic open boundary conditions and confinement
potentials.


title: Fast Two-Robot Disk Evacuation with Wireless Communication

abstract:
  In the fast evacuation problem, we study the path planning problem for two
robots who want to minimize the worst-case evacuation time on the unit disk.
The robots are initially placed at the center of the disk. In order to
evacuate, they need to reach an unknown point, the exit, on the boundary of the
disk. Once one of the robots finds the exit, it will instantaneously notify the
other agent, who will make a beeline to it.
  The problem has been studied for robots with the same speed~\cite{s1}. We
study a more general case where one robot has speed $1$ and the other has speed
$s \geq 1$. We provide optimal evacuation strategies in the case that $s \geq
c_{2.75} \approx 2.75$ by showing matching upper and lower bounds on the
worst-case evacuation time. For $1\leq s < c_{2.75}$, we show (non-matching)
upper and lower bounds on the evacuation time with a ratio less than $1.22$.
Moreover, we demonstrate that a generalization of the two-robot search strategy
from~\cite{s1} is outperformed by our proposed strategies for any $s \geq
c_{1.71} \approx 1.71$.


title: Spectroscopic Evidence of Type II Weyl Semimetal State in WTe2

abstract:
  Quantum topological materials, exemplified by topological insulators,
three-dimensional Dirac semimetals and Weyl semimetals, have attracted much
attention recently because of their unique electronic structure and physical
properties. Very lately it is proposed that the three-dimensional Weyl
semimetals can be further classified into two types. In the type I Weyl
semimetals, a topologically protected linear crossing of two bands, i.e., a
Weyl point, occurs at the Fermi level resulting in a point-like Fermi surface.
In the type II Weyl semimetals, the Weyl point emerges from a contact of an
electron and a hole pocket at the boundary resulting in a highly tilted Weyl
cone. In type II Weyl semimetals, the Lorentz invariance is violated and a
fundamentally new kind of Weyl Fermions is produced that leads to new physical
properties. WTe2 is interesting because it exhibits anomalously large
magnetoresistance. It has ignited a new excitement because it is proposed to be
the first candidate of realizing type II Weyl Fermions. Here we report our
angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) evidence on identifying the type II Weyl
Fermion state in WTe2. By utilizing our latest generation laser-based ARPES
system with superior energy and momentum resolutions, we have revealed a full
picture on the electronic structure of WTe2. Clear surface state has been
identified and its connection with the bulk electronic states in the momentum
and energy space shows a good agreement with the calculated band structures
with the type II Weyl states. Our results provide spectroscopic evidence on the
observation of type II Weyl states in WTe2. It has laid a foundation for
further exploration of novel phenomena and physical properties in the type II
Weyl semimetals.


title: Weingarten integration over noncommutative homogeneous spaces

abstract:
  We discuss an extension of the Weingarten formula, to the case of
noncommutative homogeneous spaces, under suitable "easiness" assumptions. The
spaces that we consider are noncommutative algebraic manifolds, generalizing
the spaces of type $X=G/H\subset\mathbb C^N$, with $H\subset G\subset U_N$
being subgroups of the unitary group, subject to certain uniformity conditions.
We discuss various axiomatization issues, then we establish the Weingarten
formula, and we derive some probabilistic consequences.


title:
Zero-Delay Joint Source-Channel Coding in the Presence of Interference
  Known at the Encoder

abstract:
  Zero-delay transmission of a Gaussian source over an additive white Gaussian
noise (AWGN) channel is considered in the presence of an additive Gaussian
interference signal. The mean squared error (MSE) distortion is minimized under
an average power constraint assuming that the interference signal is known at
the transmitter. Optimality of simple linear transmission does not hold in this
setting due to the presence of the known interference signal. While the optimal
encoder-decoder pair remains an open problem, various non-linear transmission
schemes are proposed in this paper. In particular, interference concentration
(ICO) and one-dimensional lattice (1DL) strategies, using both uniform and
non-uniform quantization of the interference signal, are studied. It is shown
that, in contrast to typical scalar quantization of Gaussian sources, a
non-uniform quantizer, whose quantization intervals become smaller as we go
further from zero, improves the performance. Given that the optimal decoder is
the minimum MSE (MMSE) estimator, a necessary condition for the optimality of
the encoder is derived, and the numerically optimized encoder (NOE) satisfying
this condition is obtained. Based on the numerical results, it is shown that
1DL with non-uniform quantization performs closer (compared to the other
schemes) to the numerically optimized encoder while requiring significantly
lower complexity.


title: A magnetically induced quantum phase transition in holography

abstract:
  We investigate quantum phase transitions in a 2+1 dimensional gauge theory at
finite chemical potential $\chi$ and magnetic field $B$. The gravity dual is
based on 4D $\mathcal{N}=2$ Fayet-Iliopoulos gauged supergravity and the
solutions we consider---that are constructed analytically---are extremal,
dyonic, asymptotically $AdS_4$ black-branes with a nontrivial radial profile
for the scalar field. We discover a line of second order fixed points at
$B=B_c(\chi)$ between the dyonic black brane and an extremal "thermal gas"
solution with a singularity of good-type, according to the acceptability
criteria of Gubser [1]. The dual field theory is the ABJM theory [2] deformed
by a triple trace operator $\Phi^3$ and placed at finite charge and magnetic
field. This line of fixed points might be useful in studying the various
strongly interacting quantum critical phenomena such as the ones proposed to
underlie the cuprate superconductors. We also find curious similarities between
the behaviour of the VeV $\langle \Phi \rangle$ under B and that of the quark
condensate in 2+1 dimensional NJL models.


title:
Reconciling CMB and structure growth measurements with dark energy
  interactions

abstract:
  We study a coupled quintessence model with pure momentum exchange and present
the effects of such an interaction on the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and
matter power spectrum. For a wide range of negative values of the coupling
parameter $\beta$ structure growth is suppressed and the model can reconcile
the tension between Cosmic Microwave Background observations and structure
growth inferred from cluster counts. We find that this model is as good as
$\Lambda$CDM for CMB and baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) data, while the
addition of cluster data makes the model strongly preferred, improving the
best-fit $\chi^2$-value by more than $16$.


title: On the survival of poor peasants

abstract:
  Previously, in underdeveloped countries, people tried to keep the prices of
food products artificially low, in order to help the poor to buy their food.
But it became soon clear that such system, although helpful for the city poor,
was disastrous for the peasants (who usually are even poorer), so that hunger
increased, instead of decreasing. More recently, thus, higher prices have been
imposed. But a high-price system does not solve the problems. It helps, indeed,
a peasant to buy in the city non-edible products, but not to buy (more
expensive) food products from other peasants. The question is discussed here in
more detail starting from the simplest conceivable case of two peasants
producing each a different food product (bread and cheese, say), then
generalizing to several food items and to any number of peasants producing a
given food item j. Like in every economic system which wants to be sustainable,
or able to reproduce itself in a stationary state at least, prices are
determined by the necessity of exchanging "means of production" among
"industries", except that here industriesare replaced by working peasants and
means of production are replaced by food. It is found that prices must obey
certain inequalities related to the minimal amount of each food item necessary
for survival. Inequalities may be rewritten as equations and, in an important
special case, such equations give rise to a simple version of the matrix
equation used by famous authors to describe the economy.


title: Optimal Thrust Level for Orbit Insertion

abstract:
  The minimum-fuel orbital transfer is analyzed in the case of a launcher upper
stage using a constantly thrusting engine. The thrust level is assumed to be
constant and its value is optimized together with the thrust direction. A
closed-loop solution for the thrust direction is derived from the extremal
analysis for a planar orbital transfer. The optimal control problem reduces to
two unknowns, namely the thrust level and the final time. Guessing and
propagating the costates is no longer necessary and the optimal trajectory is
easily found from a rough initialization. On the other hand the initial
costates are assessed analytically from the initial conditions and they can be
used as initial guess for transfers at different thrust levels. The method is
exemplified on a launcher upper stage targeting a geostationary transfer orbit.


title: Forward and Reverse Entropy Power Inequalities in Convex Geometry

abstract:
  The entropy power inequality, which plays a fundamental role in information
theory and probability, may be seen as an analogue of the Brunn-Minkowski
inequality. Motivated by this connection to Convex Geometry, we survey various
recent developments on forward and reverse entropy power inequalities not just
for the Shannon-Boltzmann entropy but also more generally for R\'enyi entropy.
In the process, we discuss connections between the so-called functional (or
integral) and probabilistic (or entropic) analogues of some classical
inequalities in geometric functional analysis


title: Finite Element Method for Stochastic Extended KdV Equations

abstract:
  The finite element method is applied to obtain numerical solutions to the
recently derived nonlinear equation for shallow water wave problem for several
cases of bottom shapes. Results for time evolution of KdV solitons and cnoidal
waves under stochastic forces are presented. Though small effects originating
from second order dynamics may be obscured by stochastic forces, the main
waves, both cnoidal and solitary ones, remain very robust against any
distortions.


title:
On a paraconsistentization functor in the category of consequence
  structures

abstract:
  This paper is an attempt to solve the following problem: given a logic, how
to turn it into a paraconsistent one? In other words, given a logic in which
\emph{ex falso quodlibet} holds, how to convert it into a logic not satisfying
this principle? We use a framework provided by category theory in order to
define a category of consequence structures. Then, we propose a functor to
transform a logic not able to deal with contradictions into a paraconsistent
one. Moreover, we study the case of paraconsistentization of propositional
classical logic.


title: Suspended graphene variable capacitor

abstract:
  The tuning of electrical circuit resonance with a variable capacitor, or
varactor, finds wide application with the most important being wireless
telecommunication. We demonstrate an electromechanical graphene varactor, a
variable capacitor wherein the capacitance is tuned by voltage controlled
deflection of a dense array of suspended graphene membranes. The low flexural
rigidity of graphene monolayers is exploited to achieve low actuation voltage
in an ultra-thin structure. Large arrays comprising thousands of suspensions
were fabricated to give a tunable capacitance of over 10 pF/mm$^2$, higher than
that achieved by traditional micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)
technologies. A capacitance tuning of 55% was achieved with a 10 V actuating
voltage, exceeding that of conventional MEMS parallel plate capacitors.
Capacitor behavior was investigated experimentally, and described by a simple
theoretical model. Mechanical properties of the graphene membranes were
measured independently using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Increased graphene
conductivity will enable the application of the compact graphene varactor to
radio frequency systems.


title: Towards automatic classification of all WISE sources

abstract:
  The WISE satellite has detected hundreds of millions sources over the entire
sky. Classifying them reliably is however a challenging task due to
degeneracies in WISE multicolour space and low levels of detection in its two
longest-wavelength bandpasses. Here we aim at obtaining comprehensive and
reliable star, galaxy and quasar catalogues based on automatic source
classification in full-sky WISE data. This means that the final classification
will employ only parameters available from WISE itself, in particular those
reliably measured for a majority of sources. For the automatic classification
we applied the support vector machines (SVM) algorithm, which requires a
training sample with relevant classes already identified, and we chose to use
the SDSS spectroscopic dataset for that purpose. By calibrating the classifier
on the test data drawn from SDSS, we first established that a polynomial kernel
is preferred over a radial one for this particular dataset. Next, using three
classification parameters (W1 magnitude, W1-W2 colour, and a differential
aperture magnitude) we obtained very good classification efficiency in all the
tests. At the bright end, the completeness for stars and galaxies reaches ~95%,
deteriorating to ~80% at W1=16 mag, while for quasars it stays at a level of
~95% independently of magnitude. Similar numbers are obtained for purity.
Application of the classifier to full-sky WISE data, flux-limited to 16 mag
(Vega) in the 3.4 {\mu}m channel, and appropriate a posteriori cleaning allowed
us to obtain reliably-looking catalogues of star and galaxy candidates.
However, the sources flagged by the classifier as `quasars' are in fact
dominated by dusty galaxies but also exhibit contamination from sources located
mainly at low ecliptic latitudes, consistent with Solar System objects.
[abridged]


title: Multiple Recurrence and Algorithmic Randomness

abstract:
  This work contributes to the programme of studying effective versions of
"almost everywhere" theorems in analysis and ergodic theory via algorithmic
randomness. We determine the level of randomness needed for a point in a Cantor
space $ \{0,1\}^{\NN}$ with the uniform measure and the usual shift so that
effective versions of the multiple recurrence theorem of Furstenberg holds for
iterations starting at the point. We consider recurrence into closed sets that
possess various degrees of effectiveness: clopen, $\PPI$ with computable
measure, and $\PPI$. The notions of Kurtz, Schnorr, and \ML\ randomness,
respectively, turn out to be sufficient. We obtain similar results for multiple
recurrence with respect to the $k$ commuting shift operators on
$\{0,1\}^{\NN^{\normalsize k}}$.


title: Time Symmetric Quantum Mechanics and Causal Classical Physics

abstract:
  A two boundary quantum mechanics without time ordered causal structure is
advocated as consistent theory. The apparent causal structure of usual "near
future" macroscopic phenomena is attributed to a cosmological asymmetry and to
rules governing the transition between microscopic to macroscopic observations.
Our interest is a heuristic understanding of the resulting macroscopic physics.


title: Magnetotransport of single crystalline YSb

abstract:
  We report magnetic field dependent transport measurements on a single crystal
of cubic YSb together with first principles calculations of its electronic
structure. The transverse magnetoresistance does not saturate up to 9 T and
attains a value of 75,000 % at 1.8 K. The Hall coefficient is electron-like at
high temperature, changes sign to hole-like between 110 and 50 K, and again
becomes electron-like below 50 K. First principles calculations show that YSb
is a compensated semimetal with a qualitatively similar electronic structure to
that of isostructural LaSb and LaBi, but with larger Fermi surface volume. The
measured electron carrier density and Hall mobility calculated at 1.8 K, based
on a single band approximation, are 6.5$\times10^{20}/$cm$^{3}$ and
6.2$\times10^{4}$cm$^{2}$/Vs, respectively. These values are comparable with
those reported for LaBi and LaSb. Like LaBi and LaSb, YSb undergoes a magnetic
field-induced metal-insulator-like transition below a characteristic
temperature T$_{m}$, with resistivity saturation below 13 K. Thickness
dependent electrical resistance measurements show a deviation of the resistance
behavior from that expected for a normal metal; however, they do not
unambiguously establish surface conduction as the mechanism for the resistivity
plateau.


title: Neutrino oscillations in discrete-time quantum walk framework

abstract:
  Here we present neutrino oscillation in the frame-work of quantum walks.
Starting from a one spatial dimensional discrete-time quantum walk we present a
scheme of evolutions that will simulate neutrino oscillation. The set of
quantum walk parameters which is required to reproduce the oscillation
probability profile obtained in both, long range and short range neutrino
experiment is explicitly presented. Our scheme to simulate three-generation
neutrino oscillation from quantum walk evolution operators can be physically
realized in any low energy experimental set-up with access to control a single
six-level system, a multiparticle three-qubit or a qubit-qutrit system. We also
present the entanglement between spins and position space, during neutrino
propagation that will quantify the wave function delocalization around
instantaneous average position of the neutrino. This work will contribute
towards understanding neutrino oscillation in the framework of the quantum
information perspective.


title:
Finite braid group orbits in Aff(C)-character varieties of the punctured
  sphere

abstract:
  We give a complete description of finite braid group orbits in
Aff(C)-character varieties of the punctured Riemann sphere. This is performed
thanks to a coalescence procedure and to the theory of finite complex
reflection groups. We then derive consequences in the theory of differential
equations. These concern algebraicity of isomonodromic deformations for
reducible rank two logarithmic connections on the sphere, the Riemann-Hilbert
problem and F_D-type Lauricella hypergeometric functions.


title:
A Sampling Strategy for Projecting to Permutations in the Graph Matching
  Problem

abstract:
  In the context of the graph matching problem we propose a novel method for
projecting a matrix $Q$, which may be a doubly stochastic matrix, to a
permutation matrix $P.$ We observe that there is an intuitve mapping, depending
on a given $Q,$ from the set of $n$-dimensional permutation matrices to sets of
points in $\mathbb{R}^n$. The mapping has a number of geometrical properties
that allow us to succesively sample points in $\mathbb{R}^n$ in a manner
similar to simulated annealing, where our objective is to minimise the graph
matching norm found using the permutation matrix corresponding to each of the
points. Our sampling strategy is applied to the QAPLIB benchmark library and
outperforms the PATH algorithm in two-thirds of cases. Instead of using linear
assignment, the incorporation of our sampling strategy as a projection step
into algorithms such as PATH itself has the potential to achieve even better
results.


title:
On Bifurcation Delay: An Alternative Approach Using Geometric Singular
  Perturbation Theory

abstract:
  To explain the phenomenon of bifurcation delay, which occurs in planar
systems of the form $\dot{x}=\epsilon f(x,z,\epsilon)$,
$\dot{z}=g(x,z,\epsilon)z$, where $f(x,0,0)>0$ and $g(x,0,0)$ changes sign at
least once on the $x$-axis, we use the Exchange Lemma in Geometric Singular
Perturbation Theory to track the limiting behavior of the solutions. Using the
trick of extending dimension to overcome the degeneracy at the turning point,
we show that the limiting attracting and repulsion points are given by the
well-known entry-exit function, and the maximum of $z$ on the trajectory is of
order $\exp(-1/\epsilon)$. Also we prove smoothness the return map up to
arbitrary finite order in $\epsilon$.


title:
An axisymmetric time-domain spectral-element method for full-wave
  simulations: Application to ocean acoustics

abstract:
  The numerical simulation of acoustic waves in complex 3D media is a key topic
in many branches of science, from exploration geophysics to non-destructive
testing and medical imaging. With the drastic increase in computing
capabilities this field has dramatically grown in the last twenty years.
However many 3D computations, especially at high frequency and/or long range,
are still far beyond current reach and force researchers to resort to
approximations, for example by working in 2D (plane strain) or by using a
paraxial approximation. This article presents and validates a numerical
technique based on an axisymmetric formulation of a spectral finite-element
method in the time domain for heterogeneous fluid-solid media. Taking advantage
of axisymmetry enables the study of relevant 3D configurations at a very
moderate computational cost. The axisymmetric spectral-element formulation is
first introduced, and validation tests are then performed. A typical
application of interest in ocean acoustics showing upslope propagation above a
dipping viscoelastic ocean bottom is then presented. The method correctly
models backscattered waves and explains the transmission losses discrepancies
pointed out in Jensen et al. (2007). Finally, a realistic application to a
double seamount problem is considered.


title:
Proof of the Aubert-Baum-Plymen-Solleveld conjecture for split classical
  groups

abstract:
  In this paper we prove the Aubert-Baum-Plymen-Solleveld conjecture for the
split classical groups and establish the connection with the Langlands
correspondence. To do this, we review the notion of cuspidality for enhanced
Langlands parameters and also review the notion of cuspidal support for
enhanced Langlands parameters for split classical groups, both introduced by
the author in earlier work.


title: Ergodicity: a historical perspective. Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium

abstract:
  A view on the physical meaning of the so called ergodic hypothesis: its role
on the foundations of equilibrium statistical mechanics in mid '800, its
interpretations and hints at its relevance for modern nonequilibrium
statistical mechanics. Followed by appendices with detailed comments on the
original papers.


title: A New Method of Verification of Functional Programs

abstract:
  In the paper the problem of verification of functional programs (FPs) over
strings is considered, where specifications of properties of FPs are defined by
other FPs, and a FP S1 meets a specification defined by another FP S2 iff a
composition of functions defined by the FPs S1 and S2 is equal to the constant
1. We introduce a concept of a state diagram of a FP, and reduce the
verification problem to the problem of an analysis of the state diagrams of
FPs. The proposed approach is illustrated by the example of verification of a
sorting program.


title:
Fabricating Multifunctional Nanoparticle Membranes by a Fast
  Layer-by-Layer Langmuir-Blodgett Process: Application in Lithium-sulfur
  Batteries

abstract:
  The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique is a powerful, widely used method for
preparing coatings of amphiphilic molecules at air/water interfaces with
thickness control down to a single molecule. Here we report two new LB
techniques designed to create ordered, multifunctional nanoparticle films on
any non-reactive support. The methods utilize Marangoni stresses produced by
surfactants at a fluid/solid/gas interface and self-assembly of nanoparticles
to facilitate rapid creation of dense monolayers of multi-wall carbon nanotubes
(MWCNT), metal-oxide nanoparticles, polymers, and combinations of these
materials in a layer-by-layer configuration. Using the polyolefin separator in
a lithium sulfur (Li-S) electrochemical cell as an example, we illustrate how
the method can be used to create structured membranes for regulating mass and
charge transport. We show that a layered MWCNT/SiO2/MWCNT nanomaterial created
in a clip-like configuration, with gravimetric areal coverage of ~130 mg cm-2
and a thickness of ~3 micron, efficiently adsorbs dissolved lithium polysulfide
(LiPS) species and efficiently reutilize them for improving Li-S battery
performance.


title: Consistency Bands for divergences measures

abstract:
  By wavelets approach we estimate densities. Then by means of mean value
theorem we establish asymptotic consistency and normality for special
divergence measures and construct their consistency bands.


title:
Conditional estimates on small distances between ordinates of zeros of
  $\zeta(s)$ and $\zeta'(s)$

abstract:
  Let $\beta'+i\gamma'$ be a zero of $\zeta'(s)$. In \cite{GYi} Garaev and
Y{\i}ld{\i}r{\i}m proved that there is a zero $\beta+i\gamma$ of $\zeta(s)$
with $ \gamma'-\gamma \ll \sqrt{|\beta'-1/2|} $. Assuming RH, we improve this
bound by saving a factor $\sqrt{\log\log\gamma'}$.


title: Mixed-order phase transition in a minimal, diffusion based spin model

abstract:
  In this paper, we exactly solve, within the grand canonical ensemble, a
minimal spin model with the hybrid phase transition. We call the model
"diffusion-based" because its hamiltonian can be recovered from a simple
dynamic procedure, which can be seen as an equilibrium statistical mechanics
representation of a biased random walk. We outline the derivation of the phase
diagram of the model, in which the triple point has the hallmarks of the hybrid
transition: discontinuity in the average magnetization and algebraically
diverging susceptibilities. At this point, two second-order transition curves
meet in equilibrium with the first-order curve, resulting in a prototypical
mixed-order behavior.


title: Constant sign Green's function for simply supported beam equation

abstract:
  The aim of this paper consists on the study of the following fourth-order
operator: \begin{equation}\label{Ec::T4} T[M]\,u(t)\equiv
u^{(4)}(t)+p_1(t)\,u"'(t)+p_2(t)\,u"(t)+M\,u(t)\,,\ t\in I \equiv [a,b]\,,
\end{equation} coupled with the two point boundary conditions:
\begin{equation}\label{Ec::cf} u(a)=u(b)=u"(a)=u"(b)=0\,. \end{equation}
  So, we define the following space:
  \begin{equation}\label{Ec::esp}
  X=\left\lbrace u\in C^4(I)\quad\mid\quad u(a)=u(b)=u"(a)=u"(b)=0
\right\rbrace \,.
  \end{equation}
  Here $p_1\in C^3(I)$ and $p_2\in C^2(I)$.
  By assuming that the second order linear differential equation
  \begin{equation}\label{Ec::2or}
  L_2\, u(t)\equiv u"(t)+p_1(t)\,u'(t)+p_2(t)\,u(t)=0\,,\quad t\in I,
  \end{equation} is disconjugate on $I$, we characterize the parameter's set
where the Green's function related to operator $T[M]$ in $X$ is of constant
sign on $I \times I$. Such characterization is equivalent to the strongly
inverse positive (negative) character of operator $T[M]$ on $X$ and comes from
the first eigenvalues of operator $T[0]$ on suitable spaces.


title: Loschmidt Echo for quantum metrology

abstract:
  We propose a versatile Loschmidt echo protocol to detect and quantify
multiparticle entanglement. It allows us to extract the quantum Fisher
information for arbitrary pure states, and finds direct application in quantum
metrology. In particular, the protocol applies to states that are generally
difficult to characterize, as non-Gaussian states, and states that are not
symmetric under particle exchange. We focus on atomic systems, including
trapped ions, polar molecules, and Rydberg atoms, where entanglement is
generated dynamically via long-range interaction, and show that the protocol is
stable against experimental detection errors.


title:
Long-range nematic order and anomalous fluctuations in suspensions of
  swimming filamentous bacteria

abstract:
  We study the collective dynamics of elongated swimmers in a very thin fluid
layer by devising long, filamentous, non-tumbling bacteria. The strong
confinement induces weak nematic alignment upon collision, which, for large
enough density of cells, gives rise to global nematic order. This homogeneous
but fluctuating phase, observed on the largest experimentally-accessible scale
of millimeters, exhibits the properties predicted by standard models for
flocking such as the Vicsek-style model of polar particles with nematic
alignment: true long-range nematic order and non-trivial giant number
fluctuations.


title:
A Random Access Protocol for Pilot Allocation in Crowded Massive MIMO
  Systems

abstract:
  The Massive MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) technology has great
potential to manage the rapid growth of wireless data traffic. Massive MIMO
achieves tremendous spectral efficiency by spatial multiplexing of many tens of
user equipments (UEs). These gains are only achieved in practice if many more
UEs can connect efficiently to the network than today. As the number of UEs
increases, while each UE intermittently accesses the network, the random access
functionality becomes essential to share the limited number of pilots among the
UEs. In this paper, we revisit the random access problem in the Massive MIMO
context and develop a reengineered protocol, termed strongest-user collision
resolution (SUCRe). An accessing UE asks for a dedicated pilot by sending an
uncoordinated random access pilot, with a risk that other UEs send the same
pilot. The favorable propagation of Massive MIMO channels is utilized to enable
distributed collision detection at each UE, thereby determining the strength of
the contenders' signals and deciding to repeat the pilot if the UE judges that
its signal at the receiver is the strongest. The SUCRe protocol resolves the
vast majority of all pilot collisions in crowded urban scenarios and continues
to admit UEs efficiently in overloaded networks.


title:
Longitudinal magnon, inversion breaking and magnetic instabilities in
  the pseudo-Kagome francisites Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2X with X=Br, Cl

abstract:
  We performed Raman studies and a dielectric characterization of the
pseudo-kagome Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2X (X = Cl, Br). These compounds share competing
nearest-neighbour ferromagnetic exchange and frustrating next-nearest-neighbour
antiferromagnetic exchange as well as highly noncollinear magnetic ground
state. However, at low temperature they differ with respect to the existence of
inversion symmetry. For both compounds there exists a pronounced interplay of
polar phonon modes with quantum magnetic fluctuations. A novel Raman mode
appears for temperatures below the Neel temperature with a Fano lineshape and
an enormous intensity that exceeds most of the phonon lines. We discuss a
possible contribution of longitudinal magnons to this signal. In contrast, one
magnon scattering based on linear transvers magnons is excluded based on a
symmetry analysis of spin wave representations and Raman tensor calculations.
There exists evidence that in these pseudo-kagome compounds magnetic quantum
fluctuations carry an electric dipole moment. Our data as well as a comparison
with previous far-infrared spectra allow us to conclude that Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Cl
changes its symmetry most likely from Pmmn to P21mn with a second order
structural phase transition at T*=120 K and becomes multiferroic.
Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Br represents an interesting counter part as it does not show
this instability and stays inversion symmetric down to lowest temperatures,
investigated.


title: Probing Transverse Momentum Broadening in Heavy Ion Collisions

abstract:
  We study the dijet azimuthal de-correlation in relativistic heavy ion
collisions as an important probe of the transverse momentum broadening effects
of a high energy jet traversing the quark-gluon plasma. We take into account
both the soft gluon radiation in vacuum associated with the Sudakov logarithms
and the jet P_T-broadening effects in the QCD medium. We find that the Sudakov
effects are dominant at the LHC, while the medium effects can play an important
role at RHIC energies. This explains why the LHC experiments have not yet
observed sizable P_T-broadening effects in the measurement of dijet azimuthal
correlations in heavy ion collisions. Future investigations at RHIC will
provide a unique opportunity to study the P_T-broadening effects and help to
pin down the underlying mechanism for jet energy loss in a hot and dense
medium.


title: Asymmetric Dark Matter in the Shear--dominated Universe

abstract:
  We explore the relic abundance of asymmetric Dark Matter in shear--dominated
universe in which it is assumed the universe is expanded anisotropically. The
modified expansion rate leaves its imprint on the relic density of asymmetric
Dark Matter particles if the asymmetric Dark Matter particles are decoupled in
shear dominated era. We found the relic abundances for particle and
anti--particle are increased. The particle and anti--particle abundances are
almost in the same amount for the larger value of the shear factor $x_e$ which
makes the indirect detection possible for asymmetric Dark Matter. We use the
present day Dark Matter density from the observation to find the constraints on
the parameter space in this model.


title:
NuSTAR and XMM-Newton Observations of the Neutron Star X-ray Binary 1RXS
  J180408.9-34205

abstract:
  We report on observations of the neutron star (NS) residing in the low-mass
X-ray binary 1RXS J180408.9-34205 taken 2015 March by $\emph{NuSTAR}$ and
$\emph{XMM-Newton}$ while the source was in the hard spectral state. We find
multiple reflection features (Fe K$_{\alpha}$ detected with $\emph{NuSTAR}$; N
VII, O VII, and O VIII detected in the RGS) from different ionization zones.
Through joint fits using the self consistent relativistic reflection model {\sc
relxill}, we determine the inner radius to be $\leq 11.1\ R_{g}$. For a 1.4
M$_{\odot}$ NS with a spin of $a_{*}=0$, this is an inner disk radius of
$\leq22.2$ km. We find the inclination of the system to be between
$18^{\circ}$-$29^{\circ}$. If the disk is truncated at a radius greater than
the neutron star radius, it could be truncated by a boundary layer on the
neutron star surface. It is also possible that the disk is truncated at the
magnetospheric radius; conservative estimates would then imply $B\leq(0.3
-1.0)\times10^{9}$ G at the magnetic poles, though coherent pulsations have not
been detected and the source is not identified as a pulsar.


title: On Period Relations for Automorphic L-functions II

abstract:
  We study Hecke algebras for pairs $({\mathfrak g},K)$ over arbitrary fields
$E$ of characteristic $0$, define the Bernstein functor and give another
definition of the Zuckerman functor over $E$. Building on this and the author's
previous work on rational structures on automorphic representations, we show
that hard duality remains valid over $E$ and apply this result to the study of
rationality properties of Sun's cohomologically induced functionals. Our main
application are period relations for the special values of standard
$L$-functions of automorphic representations of $\mathrm{GL}(2n)$ admitting
Shalika models.


title: Dynamical Formation of the GW150914 Binary Black Hole

abstract:
  We explore the possibility that GW150914, the binary black hole merger
recently detected by Advanced LIGO, was formed by gravitational interactions in
the core of a dense star cluster. Using models of globular clusters with
detailed $N$-body dynamics and stellar evolution, we show that a typical
cluster with a mass of $3\times10^5M_{\odot}$ to $6\times10^5M_{\odot}$ is
optimal for forming GW150914-like binary black holes that will merge in the
local universe. We identify the most likely dynamical processes for forming
GW150914 in such a cluster, and we show that the detection of GW150914 is
consistent with the masses and merger rates expected for binary black hole
mergers from globular clusters. Our results show that dynamical processes
provide a significant and well-understood pathway for forming binary black hole
mergers in the local universe. Understanding the contribution of dynamics to
the binary black hole merger problem is a critical step in unlocking the full
potential of gravitational-wave astronomy.


title:
Global well-posedness and scattering for the radial, defocusing, cubic
  wave equation with almost sharp initial data

abstract:
  In this paper we prove that the cubic wave equation is globally well - posed
and scattering for radial initial data lying in a slightly supercritical
Sobolev space, and a weighted Sobolev space.


title:
Achievable Rates of Multidimensional Rotationally Invariant
  Distributions

abstract:
  The maximum achievable rate or mutual informa- tion of multidimensional
rotationally invariant distributions in the presence of additive white Gaussian
noise is analyzed. A simple expression for the special case of multisphere
distributions is derived. Such distributions consist of points in a
multidimensional Euclidean space that are uniformly distributed over several
multidimensional concentric hyperspheres. For the 2-dimensional case, such
distributions have been previously considered in order to reduce the
computational complexity of finding a bound on the channel capacity of
fiber-optic channels. These distributions take advantage of the statistical
rotational invariance of the noise and nonlinear distortions in fiber-optic
channels. Using the derived mutual information expression, 2- and 4-dimensional
multisphere distributions are compared for fiber-optic dual-polarization
channels dominated by linear noise. At high signal-to-noise ratios,
4-dimensional multisphere distributions offer higher achievable rates than
2-dimensional ones transmitted on each of the two polarizations of the optical
carrier. Such 4-dimensional multisphere distributions are also shown to be
statistically invariant under 4-dimensional nonlinear transmission in fibers.


title:
Equilibrium and stability of relativistic stars in extended theories of
  gravity

abstract:
  We study static, spherically symmetric equilibrium configurations in extended
theories of gravity (ETG) following the notation introduced by Capozziello et
{\it al}. We calculate the differential equations for the stellar structure in
such theories in a very generic form i.e., the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff
generalization for any ETG is introduced. Stability analysis is also
investigated with special focus on the particular example of scalar-tensor
gravity.


title:
Irreducible Continuous Representations of the Simple Linearly Compact
  n-Lie Superalgebra of type $S$

abstract:
  In the present paper we classify all irreducible continuous representations
of the simple linearly compact n-Lie superalgebra of type S. The classification
is based on a bijective correspondence between the continuous representations
of the n-Lie algebras S^n and continuous representations of the Lie algebra of
Cartan type S, on which some two-sided ideal acts trivially.


title: Optical-nanofiber-based interface for single molecules

abstract:
  Optical interfaces for quantum emitters are a prerequisite for implementing
quantum networks. Here, we couple single molecules to the guided modes of an
optical nanofiber. The molecules are embedded within a crystal that provides
photostability and, due to the inhomogeneous broadening, a means to spectrally
address single molecules. Single molecules are excited and detected solely via
the nanofiber interface without the requirement of additional optical access.
In this way, we realize a fully fiber-integrated system that is scalable and
may become a versatile constituent for quantum hybrid systems.


title:
Some non-trivial examples of the Baldwin-Ozsv\'ath-Szab\'o twisted
  spectral sequence and Heegaard-Floer homology of branched double covers

abstract:
  We present some non-trivial calculations of Baldwin-Ozsv\'{a}th-Szab\'{o}
cohomology of links, and applications to Heegaard-Floer homology of branched
double covers.


title: Quantization for infinite affine transformations

abstract:
  Quantization for a probability distribution refers to the idea of estimating
a given probability by a discrete probability supported by a finite set. In
this article, we consider a probability distribution generated by an infinite
system of affine transformations $\{S_{ij}\}$ on $\mathbb R^2$ with associated
probabilities $\{p_{ij}\}$ such that $p_{ij}>0$ for all $i, j\in \mathbb N$ and
$\sum_{i, j=1}^\infty p_{ij}=1$. For such a probability measure $P$, the
optimal sets of $n$-means and the $n$th quantization error are calculated for
every natural number $n$. It is shown that the distribution of such a
probability measure is the same as that of the direct product of the Cantor
distribution. In addition, it is proved that the quantization dimension $D(P)$
exists and is finite; whereas, the $D(P)$-dimensional quantization coefficient
does not exist, and the $D(P)$-dimensional lower and the upper quantization
coefficients lie in the closed interval $[\frac{1}{12}, \frac{5}{4}]$.


title: Second Noether theorem for quasi-Noether systems

abstract:
  Quasi-Noether differential systems are more general than variational systems
and are quite common in mathematical physics. They include practically all
differential systems of interest, at least those that have conservation laws.
In this paper, we discuss quasi-Noether systems that possess
infinite-dimensional (infinite) symmetries involving arbitrary functions of
independent variables. For quasi-Noether systems admitting infinite symmetries
with arbitrary functions of all independent variables, we state and prove an
extension of the Second Noether Theorem. In addition, we prove that infinite
sets of conservation laws involving arbitrary functions of all independent
variables are trivial and that the associated differential system is
under-determined. We discuss infinite symmetries and infinite conservation laws
of two important examples of non-variational quasi-Noether systems: the
incompressible Euler equations and the Navier-Stokes equations in vorticity
formulation, and we show that the infinite sets of conservation laws involving
arbitrary functions of all independent variables are trivial. We also analyze
infinite symmetries involving arbitrary functions of not all independent
variables, prove that the fluxes of conservation laws in these cases are total
divergences on solutions, and demonstrate examples of this situation.


title:
Study of the rare decays of $B^0_s$ and $B^0$ into muon pairs from data
  collected during the LHC Run 1 with the ATLAS detector

abstract:
  A study of the decays $B^0\to \mu^+\mu^-$ and $B^0_s\to \mu^+\mu^-$ has been
performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $25$
fb$^{-1}$ of $7$ TeV and $8$ TeV proton--proton collisions collected with the
ATLAS detector during the LHC Run 1. For $B^0$, an upper limit on the branching
fraction is set at ${\cal B}(B^0 \to \mu^+\mu^-) < 4.2 \times 10^{-10}$ at
$95\%$ confidence level. For $B^0_s$, the branching fraction ${\cal B}(B^0_s
\to \mu^+\mu^-) = \left( 0.9^{+1.1}_{-0.8} \right) \times 10^{-9}$ is measured.
The results are consistent with the Standard Model expectation with a $p$-value
of $4.8\%$, corresponding to $2.0$ standard deviations.


title:
A semiparametric mixture method for local false discovery rate
  estimation

abstract:
  We propose a semiparametric mixture model to estimate local false discovery
rates in multiple testing problems. The two pilars of the proposed approach are
Efron's empirical null principle and log-concave density estimation for the
alternative distribution. Compared to existing methods, our method can be
easily extended to high dimension. Simulation results show that our method
outperforms other existing methods and we illustrate its use via case studies
in astronomy and microarray.


title:
Hypothetical Problems concerning the Theory of Relativity on
  Cryptographic Currency Implementations

abstract:
  Bitcoin has demonstrated there are many security improvements applicable to
normal currency. As the human race expands and we colonize other planets, we
have to consider how we are going to extend integral parts of of society, and
that includes our currency system. Information transferring does not scale well
with very large distances, entirely due to physical limitations. For example,
there is a maximum speed that any information can travel, and it cannot be
faster than the speed of light. In this paper we take these physical
limitations into account to give treatment to the following question. Can a
single crypto-currency be used across the entire universe? Trivially many
currencies can be used with exchange rates but we will try to avoid this as our
solution. The idea of this paper was inspired by a paper titled "The Theory of
Interstellar Trade" by Paul Krugman, a Nobel Economist.


title:
Galerkin method for the numerical solution of the Burgers' equation by
  using exponential B-splines

abstract:
  In this paper, the exponential B-spline Galerkin \ method is set up for
getting the numerical solution of the Burgers' equation. Two numerical
examples\ related to shock wave propogation and travelling wave are studied to
illustrate the accuracy and the efficiency of the method. Obtained results are
compared with some early studies.


title:
Galerkin Method for the numerical solution of the advection-diffusion
  equation by using exponential B-splines

abstract:
  In this paper, the exponential B-spline functions are used for the numerical
solution of the advection-diffusion equation. Two numerical examples\ related
to pure advection in a finitely long channel and the distribution of an initial
Gaussian pulse are employed to illustrate the accuracy and the efficiency of
the method. Obtained results are compared with some early studies.


title: The ELM Survey. VII. Orbital Properties of Low Mass White Dwarf Binaries

abstract:
  We present the discovery of 15 extremely low mass (5 < log{g} < 7) white
dwarf candidates, 9 of which are in ultra-compact double-degenerate binaries.
Our targeted ELM Survey sample now includes 76 binaries. The sample has a
lognormal distribution of orbital periods with a median period of 5.4 hr. The
velocity amplitudes imply that the binary companions have a normal distribution
of mass with 0.76 Msun mean and 0.25 Msun dispersion. Thus extremely low mass
white dwarfs are found in binaries with a typical mass ratio of 1:4.
Statistically speaking, 95% of the white dwarf binaries have a total mass below
the Chandrasekhar mass and thus are not Type Ia supernova progenitors. Yet half
of the observed binaries will merge in less than 6 Gyr due to gravitational
wave radiation; probable outcomes include single massive white dwarfs and
stable mass transfer AM CVn binaries.


title: Most Double Degenerate Low Mass White Dwarf Binaries Merge

abstract:
  We estimate the merger rate of double degenerate binaries containing
extremely low mass (ELM) <0.3 Msun white dwarfs in the Galaxy. Such white
dwarfs are detectable for timescales of 0.1 Gyr -- 1 Gyr in the ELM Survey; the
binaries they reside in have gravitational wave merger times of 0.001 Gyr --
100 Gyr. To explain the observed distribution requires that most ELM white
dwarf binary progenitors detach from the common envelope phase with <1 hr
orbital periods. We calculate the local space density of ELM white dwarf
binaries and estimate a merger rate of 3e-3/yr over the entire disk of the
Milky Way; the merger rate in the halo is 10 times smaller. The ELM white dwarf
binary merger rate exceeds by a factor of 40 the formation rate of stable mass
transfer AM CVn binaries, marginally exceeds the rate of underluminous
supernovae, and is identical to the formation rate of R CrB stars. On this
basis, we conclude that ELM white dwarf binaries can be the progenitors of all
observed AM CVn and possibly underluminous supernovae, however the majority of
He+CO white dwarf binaries go through unstable mass transfer and merge, e.g.
into single massive ~1 Msun white dwarfs.


title: Collective influence in evolutionary social dilemmas

abstract:
  When evolutionary games are contested in structured populations, the degree
of each player in the network plays an important role. If they exist, hubs
often determine the fate of the population in remarkable ways. Recent research
based on optimal percolation in random networks has shown, however, that the
degree is neither the sole nor the best predictor of influence in complex
networks. Low-degree nodes may also be optimal influencers if they are
hierarchically linked to hubs. Taking this into account leads to the formalism
of collective influence in complex networks, which as we show here, has
far-reaching implications for the favorable resolution of social dilemmas. In
particular, there exists an optimal hierarchical depth for the determination of
collective influence that we use to describe the potency of players for passing
their strategies, which depends on the strength of the social dilemma.
Interestingly, the degree, which corresponds to the baseline depth zero, is
optimal only when the temptation to defect is small. Our research reveals that
evolutionary success stories are related to spreading processes which are
rooted in favorable hierarchical structures that extend beyond local
neighborhoods.

categories: physics.soc-ph cond-mat.stat-mech cs.GT q-bio.PE


title: Decomposition of tournament limits

abstract:
  The theory of tournament limits and tournament kernels (often called
graphons) is developed by extending common notions for finite tournaments to
this setting; in particular we study transitivity and irreducibility of limits
and kernels. We prove that each tournament kernel and each tournament limit can
be decomposed into a direct sum of irreducible components, with transitive
components interlaced. We also show that this decomposition is essentially
unique.


title:
Variational methods for the solution of fractional discrete/continuous
  Sturm-Liouville problems

abstract:
  The fractional Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problem appears in many situations,
e.g., while solving anomalous diffusion equations coming from physical and
engineering applications. Therefore to obtain solutions or approximation of
solutions to this problem is of great importance. Here, we describe how the
fractional Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problem can be formulated as a
constrained fractional variational principle and show how such formulation can
be used in order to approximate the solutions. Numerical examples are given, to
illustrate the method.


title: Concordance of certain 3-braids and Gauss diagrams

abstract:
  Let $\beta:=\sigma_1\sigma_2^{-1}$ be a braid in $B_3$, where $B_3$ is the
braid group on 3 strings and $\sigma_1, \sigma_2$ are the standard Artin
generators. We use Gauss diagram formulas to show that for each natural number
$n$ not divisible by $3$ the knot which is represented by the closure of the
braid $\beta^n$ is algebraically slice if and only if $n$ is odd. As a
consequence, we deduce some properties of Lucas numbers.


title: A discretization of the Hadamard fractional derivative

abstract:
  We present a new discretization for the Hadamard fractional derivative, that
simplifies the computations. We then apply the method to solve a fractional
differential equation and a fractional variational problem with dependence on
the Hadamard fractional derivative.


title: Remarks on the energy of regular graphs

abstract:
  The energy of a graph is the sum of the absolute values of the eigenvalues of
its adjacency matrix. This note is about the energy of regular graphs. It is
shown that graphs that are close to regular can be made regular with a
negligible change of the energy. Also a $k$-regular graph can be extended to a
$k$-regular graph of a slightly larger order with almost the same energy. As an
application, it is shown that for every sufficiently large $n,$ there exists a
regular graph $G$ of order $n$ whose energy $\left\Vert G\right\Vert_{\ast}$
satisfies \[ \left\Vert G\right\Vert_{\ast}>\frac{1}{2}n^{3/2}-n^{13/10}. \]
Several infinite families of graphs with maximal or submaximal energy are
given, and the energy of almost all regular graphs is determined.


title: Determination of the Nonequilibrium Steady State Emerging from a Defect

abstract:
  We consider the non-equilibrium time evolution of a translationally invariant
state under a Hamiltonian with a localized defect. We discern the situations
where a light-cone spreads out from the defect and separates the system into
regions with macroscopically different properties. We identify the light-cone
and propose a procedure to obtain a (quasi-)stationary state describing the
late time dynamics of local observables. As an explicit example, we study the
time evolution generated by the Hamiltonian of the transverse-field Ising chain
with a local defect that cuts the interaction between two sites (a quench of
the boundary conditions alongside a global quench). We solve the dynamics
exactly and show that the late time properties can be obtained with the general
method proposed.


title: Cooling Quantum Gases with Entropy Localization

abstract:
  We study the dynamics of entropy in a time dependent potential and explore
how disorder influences this entropy flow. We show that disorder can trap
entropy at the edge of the atomic cloud enabling a novel cooling method. We
demonstrate the feasibility of our cooling technique by analyzing the evolution
of entropy in a one-dimensional Fermi lattice gas with a time dependent
superlattice potential.


title: A passive CPHASE gate via cross-Kerr nonlinearities

abstract:
  A fundamental and open question is whether cross-Kerr nonlinearities can be
used to construct a controlled-phase (CPHASE) gate. Here we propose a gate
constructed from a discrete set of atom-mediated cross-Kerr interaction sites
with counter-propagating photons. We show that the average gate fidelity $F$
between a CPHASE and our proposed gate increases as the number of interaction
sites increases and the spectral width of the photon decreases, e.g. with 12
sites we find $F > 99\%$.


title: Learning Visual Storylines with Skipping Recurrent Neural Networks

abstract:
  What does a typical visit to Paris look like? Do people first take photos of
the Louvre and then the Eiffel Tower? Can we visually model a temporal event
like "Paris Vacation" using current frameworks? In this paper, we explore how
we can automatically learn the temporal aspects, or storylines of visual
concepts from web data. Previous attempts focus on consecutive image-to-image
transitions and are unsuccessful at recovering the long-term underlying story.
Our novel Skipping Recurrent Neural Network (S-RNN) model does not attempt to
predict each and every data point in the sequence, like classic RNNs. Rather,
S-RNN uses a framework that skips through the images in the photo stream to
explore the space of all ordered subsets of the albums via an efficient
sampling procedure. This approach reduces the negative impact of strong
short-term correlations, and recovers the latent story more accurately. We show
how our learned storylines can be used to analyze, predict, and summarize photo
albums from Flickr. Our experimental results provide strong qualitative and
quantitative evidence that S-RNN is significantly better than other candidate
methods such as LSTMs on learning long-term correlations and recovering latent
storylines. Moreover, we show how storylines can help machines better
understand and summarize photo streams by inferring a brief personalized story
of each individual album.


title:
Variational inference for rare variant detection in deep, heterogeneous
  next-generation sequencing data

abstract:
  The detection of rare variants is important for understanding the genetic
heterogeneity in mixed samples. Recently, next-generation sequencing (NGS)
technologies have enabled the identification of single nucleotide variants
(SNVs) in mixed samples with high resolution. Yet, the noise inherent in the
biological processes involved in next-generation sequencing necessitates the
use of statistical methods to identify true rare variants. We propose a novel
Bayesian statistical model and a variational expectation-maximization (EM)
algorithm to estimate non-reference allele frequency (NRAF) and identify SNVs
in heterogeneous cell populations. We demonstrate that our variational EM
algorithm has comparable sensitivity and specificity compared with a Markov
Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling inference algorithm, and is more
computationally efficient on tests of low coverage ($27\times$ and $298\times$)
data. Furthermore, we show that our model with a variational EM inference
algorithm has higher specificity than many state-of-the-art algorithms. In an
analysis of a directed evolution longitudinal yeast data set, we are able to
identify a time-series trend in non-reference allele frequency and detect novel
variants that have not yet been reported. Our model also detects the emergence
of a beneficial variant earlier than was previously shown, and a pair of
concomitant variants.


title:
Large magnetothermopower and Fermi surface reconstruction in
  Sb$_2$Te$_2$Se

abstract:
  We report the magnetoresistance, magnetothermopower and quantum oscillation
study of Sb$_2$Te$_2$Se single crystal. The in-plane transverse
magnetoresistance exhibits a crossover at a critical field $B^*$ from
semiclassical weak-field $B^2$ dependence to the high-field unsaturated linear
magnetoresistance which persists up to the room temperature. The
low-temperature Seebeck coefficient is negative in zero field contrary to the
positive Hall resistivity, indicating the multiband effect. The magnetic field
induced the sign reversion of the Seebeck coefficient between 2 K and 150 K, .
The quantum oscillation of crystals reveals the quasi-two-dimensional
(quasi-2D) Fermi surface. These effects are possibly attributed to the large
Fermi surface which touches Brillouin zone boundary to becomes quasi-2D and the
variation in the chemical potential induced by the magnetic field.


title:
A stochastic coordinate descent splitting primal-dual fixed point
  algorithm and applications to large-scale composite optimization

abstract:
  We consider the problem of finding the minimizations of the sum of two convex
functions and the composition of another convex function with a continuous
linear operator from the view of fixed point algorithms based on proximity
operators, which is is inspired by recent results of Chen, Huang and Zhang.
With the idea of coordinate descent, we design a stochastic coordinate descent
splitting primal- dual fixed point algorithm. Based on randomized
krasnosel'skii mann iterations and the firmly nonexpansive properties of the
proximity operator, we achieve the convergence of the proposed algorithms.


title:
Disordered XYZ Spin Chain Simulations using the Spectrum Bifurcation
  Renormalization Group

abstract:
  We study the disordered XYZ spin chain using the recently developed Spectrum
Bifurcation Renormalization Group (SBRG) numerical method. With strong
disorder, the phase diagram consists of three many body localized (MBL) spin
glass phases. We argue that, with sufficiently strong disorder, these spin
glass phases are separated by marginally many-body localized (MBL) critical
lines. We examine the critical lines of this model by measuring the
entanglement entropy and Edwards-Anderson spin glass order parameter, and find
that the critical lines are characterized by an effective central charge
c'=ln2. Our data also suggests continuously varying critical exponents along
the critical lines. We also demonstrate how long-range mutual information can
distinguish these phases.


title: Brown Dwarfs in Young Moving Groups from Pan-STARRS1. I. AB Doradus

abstract:
  Substellar members of young ($\lesssim$150 Myr) moving groups are valuable
benchmarks to empirically define brown dwarf evolution with age and to study
the low-mass end of the initial mass function. We have combined Pan-STARRS1
(PS1) proper motions with optical$-$IR photometry from PS1, 2MASS and
$\textit{WISE}$ to search for substellar members of the AB Dor Moving Group
within $\approx$50 pc and with spectral types of late-M to early-L,
corresponding to masses down to $\approx$30 M$_{Jup}$ at the age of the group
($\approx$125 Myr). Including both photometry and proper motions allows us to
better select candidates by excluding field dwarfs whose colors are similar to
young AB~Dor Moving Group members. Our near-IR spectroscopy has identified six
ultracool dwarfs (M6$-$L4; $\approx$30$-$100 M$_{Jup}$) with intermediate
surface gravities (INT-G) as candidate members of the AB Dor Moving Group. We
find another two candidate members with spectra showing hints of youth but
consistent with field gravities. We also find four field brown dwarfs
unassociated with the AB Dor Moving Group, three of which have INT-G gravity
classification. While signatures of youth are present in the spectra of our
$\approx$125 Myr objects, neither their $J-K$ nor $W1-W2$ colors are
significantly redder than field dwarfs with the same spectral types, unlike
younger ultracool dwarfs. We also determined PS1 parallaxes for eight of our
candidates and one previously identified AB Dor Moving Group candidate.
Although radial velocities (and parallaxes, for some) are still needed to fully
assess membership, these new objects provide valuable insight into the spectral
characteristics and evolution of young brown dwarfs.


title:
Aller guten Dinge sind drei: Cosmology with three interacting spin-2
  fields

abstract:
  Theories of massive gravity with one or two dynamical metrics generically
lack stable and observationally-viable cosmological solutions that are
distinguishable from $\Lambda$CDM. We consider an extension to trimetric
gravity, with three interacting spin-2 fields which are not plagued by the
Boulware-Deser ghost. We systematically explore every combination with two free
parameters in search of background cosmologies that are competitive with
$\Lambda$CDM. For each case we determine whether the expansion history
satisfies viability criteria, and whether or not it contains
beyond-$\Lambda$CDM phenomenology. Among the many models we consider, there are
only three cases that seem to be both viable and distinguishable from standard
cosmology. One of the models has only one free parameter and displays a
crossing from above to below the phantom divide. The other two provide scaling
behavior, although they contain future singularities that need to be studied in
more detail. These models possess interesting features that make them
compelling targets for a full comparison to observations of both cosmological
expansion history and structure formation.


title: Spin-2 spectrum of six-dimensional field theories

abstract:
  We analyze the mass spectrum of spin-2 excitations around the gravity duals
of "linear quiver" supersymmetric conformal field theories (SCFT's) in six
dimensions. We show that for the entire family of gravity solutions it
satisfies a bound which corresponds to a unitarity bound for the scaling
dimension of the dual field theory operators. We determine the masses of
excitations which belong to short multiplets, and for certain gravity solutions
we obtain the Kaluza-Klein modes and the corresponding mass spectrum, fully and
explicitly. Finally, we discuss an intuitive picture of the dual operators in
terms of the effective descriptions of the SCFT's.


title: Signatures of topological Josephson junctions

abstract:
  Quasiparticle poisoning and diabatic transitions may significantly narrow the
window for the experimental observation of the $4\pi$-periodic $dc$ Josephson
effect predicted for topological Josephson junctions. Here, we show that
switching current measurements provide accessible and robust signatures for
topological superconductivity which persist in the presence of quasiparticle
poisoning processes. Such measurements provide access to the phase-dependent
subgap spectrum and Josephson currents of the topological junction when
incorporating it into an asymmetric SQUID together with a conventional
Josephson junction with large critical current. We also argue that pump-probe
experiments with multiple current pulses can be used to measure the
quasiparticle poisoning rates of the topological junction. The proposed
signatures are particularly robust, even in the presence of Zeeman fields and
spin-orbit coupling, when focusing on short Josephson junctions. Finally, we
also consider microwave excitations of short topological Josephson junctions
which may complement switching current measurements.


title:
Metallicity-constrained merger rates of binary black holes and the
  stochastic gravitational wave background

abstract:
  The recent detection of the binary black hole merger GW150914 demonstrates
the existence of black holes more massive than previously observed in X-ray
binaries in our Galaxy. This article explores different scenarios of black hole
formation in the context of self-consistent cosmic chemical evolution models
that simultaneously match observations of the cosmic star formation rate,
optical depth to reionization and metallicity of the interstellar medium. This
framework is used to calculate the mass distribution of merging black hole
binaries and its evolution with redshift. We also study the implications of the
black hole mass distribution for the stochastic gravitational wave background
from mergers and from core collapse events.

categories: astro-ph.HE astro-ph.CO astro-ph.GA gr-qc


title:
Excited-state quantum phase transitions in many-body systems with
  infinite-range interaction: Localization, dynamics, and bifurcation

abstract:
  Excited state quantum phase transitions (ESQPTs) are generalizations of
quantum phase transitions (QPTs) to excited levels. They are associated with
local divergences in the density of states. Here, we investigate how the
presence of an ESQPT can be detected from the analysis of the structure of the
Hamiltonian matrix, the level of localization of the eigenstates, the onset of
bifurcation, and the speed of the system evolution. Our findings are
illustrated for a Hamiltonian with infinite-range Ising interaction in a
transverse field. This is a version of the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick (LMG) model and
the limiting case of the one-dimensional spin-1/2 system with tunable
interactions realized with ion traps. From our studies for the dynamics, we
uncover similarities between the LMG and the noninteracting XX models.


title: Fast outflows and star formation quenching in quasar host galaxies

abstract:
  Negative feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGN) is considered a key
mechanism in shaping galaxy evolution. Fast, extended outflows are frequently
detected in the AGN host galaxies at all redshifts and luminosities, both in
ionised and molecular gas. However, these outflows are only "potentially" able
to quench star formation and we are still missing a decisive evidence of
negative feedback in action. Here we present Spectrograph for INtegral Field
Observations in the Near Infrared (SINFONI) H- and K-band integral-field
spectroscopic observations of two quasars at $z\sim$2.4 characterised by fast,
extended outflows detected through the [OIII]$\lambda$5007 line (Carniani et
al. 2015). The high signal-to-noise ratio of our observations allows us to
identify faint narrow (FWHM $< 500$ km/s), and spatially extended components in
[OIII]$\lambda$5007 and H$\alpha$ emission associated with star formation in
the host galaxy. Such star-formation powered emission is spatially
anti-correlated with the fast outflows. The ionised outflows therefore appear
to be able to suppress star formation in the region where the outflow is
expanding. However the detection of narrow, spatially-extended H$\alpha$
emission indicates star formation rates of at least $\sim 50-90$
M$_{\odot}$/yr, suggesting either that AGN feedback does not affect the whole
galaxy or that many feedback episodes are required before star formation is
completely quenched. On the other hand, the narrow H$\alpha$ emission extending
along the edges of the outflow cone may lead also to a positive feedback
interpretation. Our results highlight the possible twofold role of galaxy-wide
outflows in host galaxy evolution.


title: MIMO UWB Radar System with Compressive Sensing

abstract:
  A multiple input multiple output ultra-wideband cognitive radar based on
compressive sensing is presented in this letter. For traditional UWB radar,
high sampling rate analog to digital converter at the receiver is required to
meet Shannon theorem, which increases hardware complexity. In order to bypass
the bottleneck of ADC or further increase the radar bandwidth using the latest
wideband ADC, we propose to exploit CS for signal reconstruction at the
receiver of UWB radar for the sparse targets in the surveillance area. Besides,
the function of narrowband interference cancellation is integrated into the
proposed MIMO UWB radar. The field demonstration proves the feasibility and
reliability of the proposed algorithm.


title: G4-Flux and Standard Model Vacua in F-theory

abstract:
  We study the geometry of gauge fluxes in four-dimensional F-theory vacua with
gauge group SU(3)xSU(2)xU(1)xU(1) and its implications for phenomenology. The
models are defined by a previously introduced class of elliptic fibrations
whose fibre is given as a cubic hypersurface in ${\rm Bl}_2{\mathbb P}^2$, with
the non-abelian gauge group factors SU(3)xSU(2) engineered torically via the
top construction. To describe gauge fluxes on these fibrations we provide a
classification of the primary vertical middle cohomology group in a fashion
valid for any choice of base space. Using the ideal theoretic technique of
primary decomposition we compute the cohomology classes of the matter surfaces
associated with states charged under the non-abelian gauge group. These
expressions allow us to interpret the cancellation of the pure and mixed
non-abelian anomalies geometrically as a result of the general form of the
matter surfaces, without reference to a specific type of gauge flux. Explicit
results for the chiral indices of all matter states are obtained in terms of
intersection numbers of the base and can be directly applied to any choice of
base consistent with the fibration. As a demonstration we scan for globally
consistent F-theory vacua on $\mathbb P^3$, ${\rm Bl}_1\mathbb P^3$ and ${\rm
Bl}_2 \mathbb{P}^3$, and find a globally consistent flux configuration with the
chiral Standard Model spectrum plus an extra triplet pair, which may be lifted
by a recombination process.


title:
Unsupervised Nonlinear Spectral Unmixing based on a Multilinear Mixing
  Model

abstract:
  In the community of remote sensing, nonlinear mixing models have recently
received particular attention in hyperspectral image processing. In this paper,
we present a novel nonlinear spectral unmixing method following the recent
multilinear mixing model of [1], which includes an infinite number of terms
related to interactions between different endmembers. The proposed unmixing
method is unsupervised in the sense that the endmembers are estimated jointly
with the abundances and other parameters of interest, i.e., the transition
probability of undergoing further interactions. Non-negativity and sum-to one
constraints are imposed on abundances while only nonnegativity is considered
for endmembers. The resulting unmixing problem is formulated as a constrained
nonlinear optimization problem, which is solved by a block coordinate descent
strategy, consisting of updating the endmembers, abundances and transition
probability iteratively. The proposed method is evaluated and compared with
linear unmixing methods for synthetic and real hyperspectral datasets acquired
by the AVIRIS sensor. The advantage of using non-linear unmixing as opposed to
linear unmixing is clearly shown in these examples.


title: Deformations of $W_{A,D,E}$ SCFTs

abstract:
  We discuss aspects of theories with superpotentials given by Arnold's $A,D,E$
singularities, particularly the novelties that arise when the fields are
matrices. We focus on 4d ${\cal N}=1$ variants of susy QCD, with $U(N_c)$ or
$SU(N_c)$ gauge group, $N_f$ fundamental flavors, and adjoint matter fields $X$
and $Y$ appearing in $W_{A,D,E}(X,Y)$ superpotentials. Many of our
considerations also apply in other possible contexts for matrix-variable
$W_{A,D,E}$. The 4d $W_{A,D,E}$ SQCD-type theories RG flow to superconformal
field theories, and there are proposed duals in the literature for the
$W_{A_k}$, $W_{D_k}$, and $W_{E_7}$ cases. As we review, the
$W_{D_\text{even}}$ and $W_{E_7}$ duals rely on a conjectural, quantum
truncation of the chiral ring. We explore these issues by considering various
deformations of the $W_{A,D,E}$ superpotentials, and the resulting RG flows and
IR theories. Rather than finding supporting evidence for the quantum truncation
and $W_{D_\text{even}}$ and $W_{E_7}$ duals, we note some challenging evidence
to the contrary.


title: Axiomatizing Analog Algorithms

abstract:
  We propose a formalization of generic algorithms that includes analog
algorithms. This is achieved by reformulating and extending the framework of
abstract state machines to include continuous-time models of computation. We
prove that every hybrid algorithm satisfying some reasonable postulates may be
expressed precisely by a program in a simple and expressive language.


title:
Role of Kekul\'e and Non-Kekul\'e Structures in the Radical Character of
  Alternant Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A TAO-DFT Study

abstract:
  We investigate the role of Kekule and non-Kekule structures in the radical
character of alternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using
thermally-assisted-occupation density functional theory (TAO-DFT), an efficient
electronic structure method for the study of large ground-state systems with
strong static correlation effects. Our results reveal that the studies of
Kekule and non-Kekule structures qualitatively describe the radical character
of alternant PAHs, which could be useful when electronic structure calculations
are infeasible due to the expensive computational cost. In addition, our
results support previous findings on the increase in radical character with
increasing system size. For alternant PAHs with the same number of aromatic
rings, the geometrical arrangements of aromatic rings are responsible for their
radical character.


title: A Scale Variational Principle of Herglotz

abstract:
  The Herglotz problem is a generalization of the fundamental problem of the
calculus of variations. In this paper, we consider a class of
non-differentiable functions, where the dynamics is described by a scale
derivative. Necessary conditions are derived to determine the optimal solution
for the problem. Some other problems are considered, like transversality
conditions, the multi-dimensional case, higher-order derivatives and for
several independent variables.


title:
Bias extension test on an unbalanced woven composite reinforcement:
  Experiments and modeling via a second-gradient continuum approach

abstract:
  The classical continuum models used for the woven fabrics do not fully
describe the whole set of phenomena that occur during the testing of those
materials. This incompleteness is partially due to the absence of energy terms
related to some micro-structural properties of the fabric and, in particular,
to the bending stiffness of the yarns. To account for the most fundamental
microstructure-related deformation mechanisms occurring in unbalanced
interlocks, a second-gradient, hyperelastic, initially orthotropic continuum
model is proposed.
  A constitutive expression for the strain energy density is introduced to
account for i) in-plane shear deformations, ii) highly different bending
stiffnesses in the warp and weft directions and iii) fictive elongations in the
warp and weft directions which eventually describe the relative sliding of the
yarns. Numerical simulations which are able to reproduce the experimental
behavior of unbalanced carbon interlocks subjected to a Bias Extension Test are
presented. In particular, the proposed model captures the macroscopic
asymmetric S-shaped deformation of the specimen, as well as the main features
of the associated deformation patterns of the yarns at the mesoscopic scale.


title: LHC Signatures Of Scalar Dark Energy

abstract:
  Scalar dark energy fields that couple to the Standard Model can give rise to
observable signatures at the LHC. In this work we show that $t\bar t+$missing
energy and mono-jet searches are suitable probes in the limit where the dark
energy scalar is stable on collider distances. We discuss the prospects of
distinguishing the dark energy character of new physics signals from dark
matter signatures and the possibility of probing the self-interactions of the
dark energy sector.


title:
Luminescent and Scintillating Properties of Lanthanum Fluoride
  Nanocrystals in Response to Gamma/Neutron Irradiation: Codoping with Ce
  Activator, Yb Wavelength Shifter, and Gd Neutron Captor

abstract:
  A novel concept for detection and spectroscopy of gamma rays, and detection
of thermal neutrons based on codoped lanthanum fluoride nanocrystals containing
gadolinium is presented.The trends of colloidal synthesis of the mentioned
material, LaF3 co-doped with Ce as the activator, Yb as the wavelength-shifter
and Gd as the neutron captor, is reported. Nanocrystals of the mentioned
material were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray
diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), optical
absorption, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Gamma detection and its
potential spectroscopy feature have been confirmed. The neutron detection
capability has been confirmed by experiments performed using a 252Cf neutron
source.


title: A 3D Printed Superconducting Aluminium Microwave Cavity

abstract:
  3D printing of plastics, ceramics, and metals has existed for several decades
and has revolutionized many areas of manufacturing and science. Printing of
metals in particular has found a number of applications in fields as diverse as
customized medical implants, jet engine bearings, and rapid prototyping in the
automotive industry. Whilst many techniques can be used for 3D printing metals,
they commonly rely on computer controlled melting or sintering of a metal alloy
powder using a laser or electron beam. The mechanical properties of parts
produced in such a way have been well studied, but little attention has been
paid to their electrical properties. Here we show that a microwave cavity
(resonant frequencies 9.9 and 11.2 GHz) 3D printed using an Al-12Si alloy
exhibits superconductivity when cooled below the critical temperature of
aluminium (1.2 K), with a performance comparable to the common 6061 alloy of
aluminium. Superconducting cavities find application in numerous areas of
physics, from particle accelerators to cavity quantum electrodynamics
experiments. The result is achieved even with a very large concentration of
non-superconducting silicon in the alloy of 12.18%, compared to Al-6061, which
has between 0.4 to 0.8%. Our results may pave the way for the possibility of 3D
printing superconducting cavity configurations that are otherwise impossible to
machine.


title:
Quantitative anisotropic isoperimetric and Brunn-Minkowski inequalities
  for convex sets with improved defect estimates

abstract:
  In this paper we revisit the anisotropic isoperimetric and the
Brunn-Minkowski inequalities for convex sets. The best known constant
$C(n)=Cn^{7}$ depending on the space dimension $n$ in both inequalities is due
to Segal [\ref{bib:Seg.}]. We improve that constant to $Cn^6$ for convex sets
and to $Cn^5$ for centrally symmetric convex sets. We also conjecture, that the
best constant in both inequalities must be of the form $Cn^2,$ i.e., quadratic
in $n.$ The tools are the Brenier's mapping from the theory of mass
transportation combined with new sharp geometric-arithmetic mean and some
algebraic inequalities plus a trace estimate by Figalli, Maggi and Pratelli.


title:
Experimental demonstration of an efficient number diagnostic for long 1D
  ion chains

abstract:
  Very long, one-dimensional (1D) ion chains are the basis for many
applications, in particular in quantum information processing and reliable
diagnostics are needed to quantify them. To that purpose, we have
experimentally validated Dubin's model for very long ion chains [Phys. Rev.
Lett. 71, 2753 (1993)]. This diagnostic allows to precisely determine the
number of trapped ion with an accuracy of almost 1\% without counting them, by
measuring the ion-ion distance of the innermost particles, as well as the
trapping potential along the ion chain direction. In our experiment, based on a
155 ion chain, the central 30 ions are measured to be equidistant to better
than 2\%, and we can determine the total number of trapped ions with a 4.5\%
uncertainty, completely dominated by a conservative estimation of the
experimental characterisation of the trap.