Combinatorics of lattice paths with and without spikes

We derive a series of results on random walks on a d-dimensional hypercubic lattice (lattice paths). We introduce the notions of terse and simple paths corresponding to the path having no backtracking parts (spikes). These paths label equivalence classes which allow a rearrangement of the sum over paths. The basic combinatorial quantities of this construction are given. These formulas are useful when performing strong coupling (hopping parameter) expansions of lattice models. Some applications are described.Comment: Latex. 25 page

Vehicle classification and speed estimation using Computer Vision techniques

In this work, we implement a real-time vehicle classification and speed estimation system and apply it to videos acquired from traffic cameras installed in highways. In this approach we: a) Detect moving vehicles through backgroundforeground segmentation techniques. b) Compare different supervised classifiers (e.g. artificial neural networks) for vehicle classification into categories: (car, motorcycle, van, and bus/truck). c) Apply a calibration method to georeference vehicles using satellite images. d) Estimate vehicles speed per class using feature tracking and nearest neighbors algorithms.Facultad de Ingenierí

High performance computing for a 3-D optical diffraction tomographic application in fluid velocimetry

Optical Diffraction Tomography has been recently introduced in fluid velocimetry to provide three dimensional information of seeding particle locations. In general, image reconstruction methods at visible wavelengths have to account for diffraction. Linear approximation has been used for three-dimensional image reconstruction, but a non-linear and iterative reconstruction method is required when multiple scattering is not negligible. Non-linear methods require the solution of the Helmholtz equation, computationally highly demanding due to the size of the problem. The present work shows the results of a non-linear method customized for spherical particle location using GPU computing and a made-to-measure storing format

Efficiency Improvement and Analysis of Changes in Microstructure Associated to a Uniform Pressure Actuator

During the 1st international Conference on HIGH SPEED FORMING held in Dortmund in 2004 a new forming coil giving significant advantages was presented in the framework of ongoing R&D programs at OSU (The Ohio State University). It established the improvement provided by the return path for currents induced in the workpiece. To quantify the mentioned improvement, Labein has performed classical cone forming experiments with both configurations and analyzed energetic efficiency using well known alloys, more precisely AA 6016 and 1050. Both deformation mechanisms and contour analysis of the specimens were studied. General purpose multi-turn coils provide pressure distributions not extended to the whole forming area, resulting in zones undergoing significant delay as die the deformation sequence is referred. As a result, varied deformation patterns can be found along the contour of a cone specimen formed in such way. Firstly, a macroscopic survey of the specimens shows that uniform pressure distributes deformation over the entire formed area during the deformation process. Secondly, the effect on efficiency provided by this new coil concept is focuses not only on the ability for distributing deformation, but on the energy required to create such deformation. Finally, to validate the whole simulation, the predicted strain level, shape, and internal energy of the workpiece are compared with the experimental specimens. A key point in the validation process is checking the internal energy. It is known that the ratio of stored energy to deformation energy ranges in the order of 30 %. The procedure for the experiments follows this methodology

Symmetry breaking from Scherk-Schwarz compactification

We analyze the classical stable configurations of an extra-dimensional gauge theory, in which the extra dimensions are compactified on a torus. Depending on the particular choice of gauge group and the number of extra dimensions, the classical vacua compatible with four-dimensional Poincar\'e invariance and zero instanton number may have zero energy. For SU(N) on a two-dimensional torus, we find and catalogue all possible degenerate zero-energy stable configurations in terms of continuous or discrete parameters, for the case of trivial or non-trivial 't Hooft non-abelian flux, respectively. We then describe the residual symmetries of each vacua.Comment: 24 pages, 1 figure, Section 4 modifie

Three-dimensional P-wave velocity structure on the shallow part of the Central Costa Rican Pacific margin from local earthquake tomography using off- and onshore networks

The Central Costa Rican Pacific margin is characterized by a high-seismicity rate, coincident with the subduction of rough-relief ocean floor and has generated earthquakes with magnitude up to seven in the past. We inverted selected P-wave traveltimes from earthquakes recorded by a combined on- and offshore seismological array deployed during 6 months in the area, simultaneously determining hypocentres and the 3-D tomographic velocity structure on the shallow part of the subduction zone (<70 km). The results reflect the complexity associated to subduction of ocean-floor morphology and the transition from normal to thickened subducting oceanic crust. The subducting slab is imaged as a high-velocity perturbation with a band of low velocities (LVB) on top encompassing the intraslab seismicity deeper than ∼30 km. The LVB is locally thickened by the presence of at least two subducted seamounts beneath the margin wedge. There is a general eastward widening of the LVB over a relatively short distance, closely coinciding with the onset of an inverted forearc basin onshore and the appearance of an aseismic low-velocity anomaly beneath the inner forearc. The latter coincides spatially with an area of the subaerial forearc where differential uplift of blocks has been described, suggesting tectonic underplating of eroded material against the base of the upper plate crust. Alternatively, the low velocities could be induced by an accumulation of upward migrating fluids. Other observed velocity perturbations are attributed to several processes taking place at different depths, such as slab hydration through outer rise faulting, tectonic erosion and slab dehydratio

The light-cone gauge and the calculation of the two-loop splitting functions

We present calculations of next-to-leading order QCD splitting functions, employing the light-cone gauge method of Curci, Furmanski, and Petronzio (CFP). In contrast to the `principal-value' prescription used in the original CFP paper for dealing with the poles of the light-cone gauge gluon propagator, we adopt the Mandelstam-Leibbrandt prescription which is known to have a solid field-theoretical foundation. We find that indeed the calculation using this prescription is conceptionally clear and avoids the somewhat dubious manipulations of the spurious poles required when the principal-value method is applied. We reproduce the well-known results for the flavour non-singlet splitting function and the N_C^2 part of the gluon-to-gluon singlet splitting function, which are the most complicated ones, and which provide an exhaustive test of the ML prescription. We also discuss in some detail the x=1 endpoint contributions to the splitting functions.Comment: 41 Pages, LaTeX, 8 figures and tables as eps file

Perturbative expansions from Monte Carlo simulations at weak coupling: Wilson loops and the static-quark self-energy

Perturbative coefficients for Wilson loops and the static-quark self-energy are extracted from Monte Carlo simulations at weak coupling. The lattice volumes and couplings are chosen to ensure that the lattice momenta are all perturbative. Twisted boundary conditions are used to eliminate the effects of lattice zero modes and to suppress nonperturbative finite-volume effects due to Z(3) phases. Simulations of the Wilson gluon action are done with both periodic and twisted boundary conditions, and over a wide range of lattice volumes (from $3^4$ to $16^4$) and couplings (from $\beta \approx 9$ to $\beta \approx 60$). A high precision comparison is made between the simulation data and results from finite-volume lattice perturbation theory. The Monte Carlo results are shown to be in excellent agreement with perturbation theory through second order. New results for third-order coefficients for a number of Wilson loops and the static-quark self-energy are reported.Comment: 36 pages, 15 figures, REVTEX documen

Proposal for the numerical solution of planar QCD

Using quenched reduction, we propose a method for the numerical calculation of meson correlation functions in the planar limit of QCD. General features of the approach are outlined, and an example is given in the context of two-dimensional QCD.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figures, uses axodraw.sty, To appear in Physical Review