21,288 research outputs found
Conditional Hardness of Earth Mover Distance
The Earth Mover Distance (EMD) between two sets of points A, B subseteq R^d with |A| = |B| is the minimum total Euclidean distance of any perfect matching between A and B. One of its generalizations is asymmetric EMD, which is the minimum total Euclidean distance of any matching of size |A| between sets of points A,B subseteq R^d with |A| <= |B|. The problems of computing EMD and asymmetric EMD are well-studied and have many applications in computer science, some of which also ask for the EMD-optimal matching itself. Unfortunately, all known algorithms require at least quadratic time to compute EMD exactly. Approximation algorithms with nearly linear time complexity in n are known (even for finding approximately optimal matchings), but suffer from exponential dependence on the dimension.
In this paper we show that significant improvements in exact and approximate algorithms for EMD would contradict conjectures in fine-grained complexity. In particular, we prove the following results:
- Under the Orthogonal Vectors Conjecture, there is some c>0 such that EMD in Omega(c^{log^* n}) dimensions cannot be computed in truly subquadratic time.
- Under the Hitting Set Conjecture, for every delta>0, no truly subquadratic time algorithm can find a (1 + 1/n^delta)-approximate EMD matching in omega(log n) dimensions.
- Under the Hitting Set Conjecture, for every eta = 1/omega(log n), no truly subquadratic time algorithm can find a (1 + eta)-approximate asymmetric EMD matching in omega(log n) dimensions
Demonstration Advanced Avionics System (DAAS) function description
The Demonstration Advanced Avionics System, DAAS, is an integrated avionics system utilizing microprocessor technologies, data busing, and shared displays for demonstrating the potential of these technologies in improving the safety and utility of general aviation operations in the late 1980's and beyond. Major hardware elements of the DAAS include a functionally distributed microcomputer complex, an integrated data control center, an electronic horizontal situation indicator, and a radio adaptor unit. All processing and display resources are interconnected by an IEEE-488 bus in order to enhance the overall system effectiveness, reliability, modularity and maintainability. A detail description of the DAAS architecture, the DAAS hardware, and the DAAS functions is presented. The system is designed for installation and flight test in a NASA Cessna 402-B aircraft
The Three Dimensional Structure of EUV Accretion Regions in AM Herculis Stars: Modeling of EUV Photometric and Spectroscopic Observations
We have developed a model of the high-energy accretion region for magnetic
cataclysmic variables and applied it to {\it Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer}
observations of 10 AM Herculis type systems. The major features of the EUV
light curves are well described by the model. The light curves exhibit a large
variety of features such as eclipses of the accretion region by the secondary
star and the accretion stream, and dips caused by material very close to the
accretion region. While all the observed features of the light curves are
highly dependent on viewing geometry, none of the light curves are consistent
with a flat, circular accretion spot whose lightcurve would vary solely from
projection effects. The accretion region immediately above the WD surface is a
source of EUV radiation caused by either a vertical extent to the accretion
spot, or Compton scattering off electrons in the accretion column, or, very
likely, both. Our model yields spot sizes averaging 0.06 R, or the WD surface area, and average spot heights of 0.023
R. Spectra extracted during broad dip phases are softer than spectra
during the out-of-dip phases. This spectral ratio measurement leads to the
conclusion that Compton scattering, some absorption by a warm absorber,
geometric effects, an asymmetric temperature structure in the accretion region
and an asymmetric density structure of the accretion columnare all important
components needed to fully explain the data. Spectra extracted at phases where
the accretion spot is hidden behind the limb of the WD, but with the accretion
column immediately above the spot still visible, show no evidence of emission
features characteristic of a hot plasma.Comment: 30 Pages, 11 Figure
EUVE Observations of the Magnetic Cataclysmic Variable QQ Vulpeculae
We present simultaneous X-ray (lambda_peak ~ 44A) and EUV (lambda_peak = 89A)
light curves for the magnetic cataclysmic variable QQ Vulpeculae, obtained with
the EUVE satellite. We find that the unique shape of the X-ray light curve is
different from previously obtained X-ray light curves of QQ Vul and provides
evidence for two-pole accretion. Detailed examination of the photometric data
indicates that QQ Vul undergoes a stellar eclipse of the X-ray emitting region,
indicative of a high binary inclination. We discuss possible implications for
the nature of this system given the observed shape of its EUV and X-ray light
curves.Comment: 12 pages including 4 figures, accepted to PAS
Shallow BF2 implants in Xe-bombardment-preamorphized Si: the interaction between Xe and F
Si(100) samples, preamorphized to a depth of ~30 nm using 20 keV Xe ions to a nominal fluence of 2×1014 cm-2 were implanted with 1 and 3 keV BF2 ions to fluences of 7×1014 cm-2. Following annealing over a range of temperatures (from 600 to 1130 °C) and times the implant redistribution was investigated using medium-energy ion scattering (MEIS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), and energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM). MEIS studies showed that for all annealing conditions leading to solid phase epitaxial regrowth, approximately half of the Xe had accumulated at depths of 7 nm for the 1 keV and at 13 nm for the 3 keV BF2 implant. These depths correspond to the end of range of the B and F within the amorphous Si. SIMS showed that in the preamorphized samples, approximately 10% of the F migrates into the bulk and is trapped at the same depths in a ~1:1 ratio to Xe. These observations indicate an interaction between the Xe and F implants and a damage structure that becomes a trapping site. A small fraction of the implanted B is also trapped at this depth. EXTEM micrographs suggest the development of Xe agglomerates at the depths determined by MEIS. The effect is interpreted in terms of the formation of a volume defect structure within the amorphized Si, leading to F stabilized Xe agglomerates or XeF precipitates
The Indirect Search for Dark Matter with IceCube
We revisit the prospects for IceCube and similar kilometer-scale telescopes
to detect neutrinos produced by the annihilation of weakly interacting massive
dark matter particles (WIMPs) in the Sun. We emphasize that the astrophysics of
the problem is understood; models can be observed or, alternatively, ruled out.
In searching for a WIMP with spin-independent interactions with ordinary
matter, IceCube is only competitive with direct detection experiments if the
WIMP mass is sufficiently large. For spin-dependent interactions IceCube
already has improved the best limits on spin-dependent WIMP cross sections by
two orders of magnitude. This is largely due to the fact that models with
significant spin-dependent couplings to protons are the least constrained and,
at the same time, the most promising because of the efficient capture of WIMPs
in the Sun. We identify models where dark matter particles are beyond the reach
of any planned direct detection experiments while being within reach of
neutrino telescopes. In summary, we find that, even when contemplating recent
direct detection results, neutrino telescopes have the opportunity to play an
important as well as complementary role in the search for particle dark matter.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures, published in the New Journal of Physics 11
105019 http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/1367-2630/11/10/105019, new version
submitted to correct Abstract in origina
Plant closures, precariousness and policy responses:revisiting MG Rover 10 years on
With automotive plants being closed in Australia and western Europe, this article reflects on the employment status of ex-MG Rover (MGR) workers following the closure of the Longbridge plant in 2005. In particular, it draws on Standing's typology of labour market insecurity and uses a mixed-methods approach including an analysis of a longitudinal survey of some 200 ex-MGR workers, and in-depth interviews with ex-workers and policy-makers. While the policy response to the closure saw significant successes in terms of the great majority of workers successfully adjusting into re-employment, and with positive findings in terms of re-training and education, the paper finds significant challenges in terms of security of employment, income, job quality and representation at work years after closure. In particular, the paper posits that the general lack of attention to employment security at the macrolevel effectively undermined elements of a positive policy response over the longer run. This in turn suggests longer-term policy measures are required to address aspects of precariousness at work
Colour reconnection and Bose-Einstein effects
Final-state interactions and interference phenomena that could affect the
value of the W mass reconstructed from hadronic WW decays at LEP2 are reviewed,
and possible areas for future investigation are identified.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, LaTeX, uses epsfig. Talk at Phenomenology
Workshop on LEP2 Physics, Oxford, April 199
Incompatible sets of gradients and metastability
We give a mathematical analysis of a concept of metastability induced by
incompatibility. The physical setting is a single parent phase, just about to
undergo transformation to a product phase of lower energy density. Under
certain conditions of incompatibility of the energy wells of this energy
density, we show that the parent phase is metastable in a strong sense, namely
it is a local minimizer of the free energy in an neighbourhood of its
deformation. The reason behind this result is that, due to the incompatibility
of the energy wells, a small nucleus of the product phase is necessarily
accompanied by a stressed transition layer whose energetic cost exceeds the
energy lowering capacity of the nucleus. We define and characterize
incompatible sets of matrices, in terms of which the transition layer estimate
at the heart of the proof of metastability is expressed. Finally we discuss
connections with experiment and place this concept of metastability in the
wider context of recent theoretical and experimental research on metastability
and hysteresis.Comment: Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis, to appea
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