1,205 research outputs found
On the String Consensus Problem and the Manhattan Sequence Consensus Problem
In the Manhattan Sequence Consensus problem (MSC problem) we are given
integer sequences, each of length , and we are to find an integer sequence
of length (called a consensus sequence), such that the maximum
Manhattan distance of from each of the input sequences is minimized. For
binary sequences Manhattan distance coincides with Hamming distance, hence in
this case the string consensus problem (also called string center problem or
closest string problem) is a special case of MSC. Our main result is a
practically efficient -time algorithm solving MSC for sequences.
Practicality of our algorithms has been verified experimentally. It improves
upon the quadratic algorithm by Amir et al.\ (SPIRE 2012) for string consensus
problem for binary strings. Similarly as in Amir's algorithm we use a
column-based framework. We replace the implied general integer linear
programming by its easy special cases, due to combinatorial properties of the
MSC for . We also show that for a general parameter any instance
can be reduced in linear time to a kernel of size , so the problem is
fixed-parameter tractable. Nevertheless, for this is still too large
for any naive solution to be feasible in practice.Comment: accepted to SPIRE 201
On the Representation Theory of an Algebra of Braids and Ties
We consider the algebra introduced by F. Aicardi and J.
Juyumaya as an abstraction of the Yokonuma-Hecke algebra. We construct a tensor
space representation for and show that this is faithful. We use
it to give a basis for and to classify its irreducible
representations.Comment: 24 pages. Final version. To appear in Journal of Algebraic
Combinatorics
Dressing Up the Kink
Many quantum field theoretical models possess non-trivial solutions which are
stable for topological reasons. We construct a self-consistent example for a
self-interacting scalar field--the quantum (or dressed) kink--using a two
particle irreducible effective action in the Hartree approximation. This new
solution includes quantum fluctuations determined self-consistently and
nonperturbatively at the 1-loop resummed level and allowed to backreact on the
classical mean-field profile. This dressed kink is static under the familiar
Hartree equations for the time evolution of quantum fields. Because the quantum
fluctuation spectrum is lower lying in the presence of the defect, the quantum
kink has a lower rest energy than its classical counterpart. However its energy
is higher than well-known strict 1-loop results, where backreaction and
fluctuation self-interactions are omitted. We also show that the quantum kink
exists at finite temperature and that its profile broadens as temperature is
increased until it eventually disappears.Comment: 13 pages, latex, 3 eps figures; revised with yet additional
references, minor rewordin
A novel determination of the local dark matter density
We present a novel study on the problem of constructing mass models for the
Milky Way, concentrating on features regarding the dark matter halo component.
We have considered a variegated sample of dynamical observables for the Galaxy,
including several results which have appeared recently, and studied a 7- or
8-dimensional parameter space - defining the Galaxy model - by implementing a
Bayesian approach to the parameter estimation based on a Markov Chain Monte
Carlo method. The main result of this analysis is a novel determination of the
local dark matter halo density which, assuming spherical symmetry and either an
Einasto or an NFW density profile is found to be around 0.39 GeV cm with
a 1- error bar of about 7%; more precisely we find a for the Einasto profile and for the NFW. This is in contrast to the
standard assumption that is about 0.3 GeV cm with an
uncertainty of a factor of 2 to 3. A very precise determination of the local
halo density is very important for interpreting direct dark matter detection
experiments. Indeed the results we produced, together with the recent accurate
determination of the local circular velocity, should be very useful to
considerably narrow astrophysical uncertainties on direct dark matter
detection.Comment: 31 pages,11 figures; minor changes in the text; two figures adde
Supersymmetry with a Chargino NLSP and Gravitino LSP
We demonstrate that the lightest chargino can be lighter than the lightest
neutralino in supersymmetric models with Dirac gaugino masses as well as within
a curious parameter region of the MSSM. Given also a light gravitino, such as
from low scale supersymmetry breaking, this mass hierarchy leads to an unusual
signal where every superpartner cascades down to a chargino that decays into an
on-shell W and a gravitino, possibly with a macroscopic chargino track. We
clearly identify the region of parameters where this signal can occur. We find
it is generic in the context of the R-symmetric supersymmetric standard model,
whereas it essentially only occurs in the MSSM when sign(M1) is not equal to
sign(M2) = sign(\mu) and tan(beta) is small. We briefly comment on the search
strategies for this signal at the LHC.Comment: 27 pages and 16 figure
Electroweak Symmetry Breaking via UV Insensitive Anomaly Mediation
Anomaly mediation solves the supersymmetric flavor and CP problems. This is
because the superconformal anomaly dictates that supersymmetry breaking is
transmitted through nearly flavor-blind infrared physics that is highly
predictive and UV insensitive. Slepton mass squareds, however, are predicted to
be negative. This can be solved by adding D-terms for U(1)_Y and U(1)_{B-L}
while retaining the UV insensitivity. In this paper we consider electroweak
symmetry breaking via UV insensitive anomaly mediation in several models. For
the MSSM we find a stable vacuum when tanbeta < 1, but in this region the top
Yukawa coupling blows up only slightly above the supersymmetry breaking scale.
For the NMSSM, we find a stable electroweak breaking vacuum but with a chargino
that is too light. Replacing the cubic singlet term in the NMSSM superpotential
with a term linear in the singlet we find a stable vacuum and viable spectrum.
Most of the parameter region with correct vacua requires a large superpotential
coupling, precisely what is expected in the ``Fat Higgs'' model in which the
superpotential is generated dynamically. We have therefore found the first
viable UV complete, UV insensitive supersymmetry breaking model that solves the
flavor and CP problems automatically: the Fat Higgs model with UV insensitive
anomaly mediation. Moreover, the cosmological gravitino problem is naturally
solved, opening up the possibility of realistic thermal leptogenesis.Comment: 27 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl
The self-consistent bounce: an improved nucleation rate
We generalize the standard computation of homogeneous nucleation theory at
zero temperature to a scenario in which the bubble shape is determined
self-consistently with its quantum fluctuations. Studying two scalar models in
1+1 dimensions, we find the self-consistent bounce by employing a two-particle
irreducible (2PI) effective action in imaginary time at the level of the
Hartree approximation. We thus obtain an effective single bounce action which
determines the rate exponent. We use collective coordinates to account for the
translational invariance and the growth instability of the bubble and finally
present a new nucleation rate prefactor. We compare the results with those
obtained using the standard 1-loop approximation and show that the
self-consistent rate can differ by several orders of magnitude.Comment: 28 pages, revtex, 7 eps figure
Bounds from Primordial Black Holes with a Near Critical Collapse Initial Mass Function
Recent numerical evidence suggests that a mass spectrum of primordial black
holes (PBHs) is produced as a consequence of near critical gravitational
collapse. Assuming that these holes formed from the initial density
perturbations seeded by inflation, we calculate model independent upper bounds
on the mass variance at the reheating temperature by requiring the mass density
not exceed the critical density and the photon emission not exceed current
diffuse gamma-ray measurements. We then translate these results into bounds on
the spectral index n by utilizing the COBE data to normalize the mass variance
at large scales, assuming a constant power law, then scaling this result to the
reheating temperature. We find that our bounds on n differ substantially
(\delta n > 0.05) from those calculated using initial mass functions derived
under the assumption that the black hole mass is proportional to the horizon
mass at the collapse epoch. We also find a change in the shape of the diffuse
gamma-ray spectrum which results from the Hawking radiation. Finally, we study
the impact of a nonzero cosmological constant and find that the bounds on n are
strengthened considerably if the universe is indeed vacuum-energy dominated
today.Comment: 24 pages, REVTeX, 5 figures; minor typos fixed, two refs added,
version to be published in PR
Direct Constraints on Minimal Supersymmetry from Fermi-LAT Observations of the Dwarf Galaxy Segue 1
The dwarf galaxy Segue 1 is one of the most promising targets for the
indirect detection of dark matter. Here we examine what constraints 9 months of
Fermi-LAT gamma-ray observations of Segue 1 place upon the Constrained Minimal
Supersymmetric Standard Model (CMSSM), with the lightest neutralino as the dark
matter particle. We use nested sampling to explore the CMSSM parameter space,
simultaneously fitting other relevant constraints from accelerator bounds, the
relic density, electroweak precision observables, the anomalous magnetic moment
of the muon and B-physics. We include spectral and spatial fits to the Fermi
observations, a full treatment of the instrumental response and its related
uncertainty, and detailed background models. We also perform an extrapolation
to 5 years of observations, assuming no signal is observed from Segue 1 in that
time. Results marginally disfavour models with low neutralino masses and high
annihilation cross-sections. Virtually all of these models are however already
disfavoured by existing experimental or relic density constraints.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures; added extra scans with extreme halo parameters,
expanded introduction and discussion in response to referee's comment
Infections in Dupilumab Clinical Trials in Atopic Dermatitis : A Comprehensive Pooled Analysis
Background: Patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) have increased infection risk, including skin infections and systemic infections. Immunomodulators (e.g., anti-tumor necrosis factors, anti-interleukin [anti-IL]-23, anti-IL-17, Janus kinase inhibitors) increase risk of infections. Dupilumab (a monoclonal antibody blocking the shared receptor component for IL-4 and IL-13) is approved for inadequately controlled moderate-to-severe AD and for moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma. Objective: The aim was to determine the impact of dupilumab on infection rates in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Methods: This analysis pooled data from seven randomized, placebo-controlled dupilumab trials in adults with moderate-to-severe AD. Exposure-adjusted analyses assessed infection rates. Results: Of 2932 patients, 1091 received placebo, 1095 dupilumab 300 mg weekly, and 746 dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks. Treatment groups had similar infection rates overall per 100 patient-years (placebo, 155; dupilumab weekly, 150; dupilumab every 2 weeks, 156; dupilumab combined, 152), and similar non-skin infection rates. Serious/severe infections were reduced with dupilumab (risk ratio 0.43; p < 0.05), as were bacterial and other non-herpetic skin infections (risk ratio 0.44; p < 0.001). Although herpesviral infection rates overall were slightly higher with dupilumab than placebo, clinically important herpesviral infections (eczema herpeticum, herpes zoster) were less common with dupilumab (risk ratio 0.31; p < 0.01). Systemic anti-infective medication use was lower with dupilumab. Conclusions: Dupilumab is associated with reduced risk of serious/severe infections and non-herpetic skin infections and does not increase overall infection rates versus placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT01548404, NCT02210780, NCT01859988, NCT02277743, NCT02277769, NCT02260986, and NCT02755649
- …