Multi-epoch, multi-frequency VLBI study of the parsec-scale jet in the blazar 3C 66A

We present the observational results of the Gamma-ray blazar, 3C 66A, at 2.3, 8.4, and 22 GHz at 4 epochs during 2004-05 with the VLBA. The resulting images show an overall core-jet structure extending roughly to the south with two intermediate breaks occurring in the region near the core. By model-fitting to the visibility data, the northmost component, which is also the brightest, is identified as the core according to its relatively flat spectrum and its compactness. As combined with some previous results to investigate the proper motions of the jet components, it is found the kinematics of 3C 66A is quite complicated with components of inward and outward, subluminal and superluminal motions all detected in the radio structure. The superluminal motions indicate strong Doppler boosting exists in the jet. The apparent inward motions of the innermost components last for at least 10 years and could not be caused by new-born components. The possible reason could be non-stationarity of the core due to opacity change.Comment: 24 pages, 4 figure

An hourglass model for the flare of HST-1 in M87

To explain the multi-wavelength light curves (from radio to X-ray) of HST-1 in the M87 jet, we propose an hourglass model that is a modified two-zone system of Tavecchio & Ghisellini (hereafter TG08): a slow hourglass-shaped or Laval nozzle-shaped layer connected by two revolving exponential surfaces surrounding a fast spine, through which plasma blobs flow. Based on the conservation of magnetic flux, the magnetic field changes along the axis of the hourglass. We adopt the result of TG08---the high-energy emission from GeV to TeV can be produced through inverse Compton by the two-zone system, and the photons from radio to X-ray are mainly radiated by the fast inner zone system. Here, we only discuss the light curves of the fast inner blob from radio to X-ray. When a compressible blob travels down the axis of the first bulb in the hourglass, because of magnetic flux conservation, its cross section experiences an adiabatic compression process, which results in particle acceleration and the brightening of HST-1. When the blob moves into the second bulb of the hourglass, because of magnetic flux conservation, the dimming of the knot occurs along with an adiabatic expansion of its cross section. A similar broken exponential function could fit the TeV peaks in M87, which may imply a correlation between the TeV flares of M87 and the light curves from radio to X-ray in HST-1. The Very Large Array (VLA) 22 GHz radio light curve of HST-1 verifies our prediction based on the model fit to the main peak of the VLA 15 GHz radio light curve.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in A

Deep Descriptor Transforming for Image Co-Localization

Reusable model design becomes desirable with the rapid expansion of machine learning applications. In this paper, we focus on the reusability of pre-trained deep convolutional models. Specifically, different from treating pre-trained models as feature extractors, we reveal more treasures beneath convolutional layers, i.e., the convolutional activations could act as a detector for the common object in the image co-localization problem. We propose a simple but effective method, named Deep Descriptor Transforming (DDT), for evaluating the correlations of descriptors and then obtaining the category-consistent regions, which can accurately locate the common object in a set of images. Empirical studies validate the effectiveness of the proposed DDT method. On benchmark image co-localization datasets, DDT consistently outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods by a large margin. Moreover, DDT also demonstrates good generalization ability for unseen categories and robustness for dealing with noisy data.Comment: Accepted by IJCAI 201

A fast two-level Strang splitting method for multi-dimensional spatial fractional Allen-Cahn equations with discrete maximum principle

In this paper, we study the numerical solutions of the multi-dimensional spatial fractional Allen-Cahn equations. After semi-discretization for the spatial fractional Riesz derivative, a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations with Toeplitz structure is obtained. For the sake of reducing the computational complexity, a two-level Strang splitting method is proposed, where the Toeplitz matrix in the system is split into the sum of a circulant matrix and a skew-circulant matrix. Therefore, the proposed method can be quickly implemented by the fast Fourier transform, substituting to calculate the expensive Toeplitz matrix exponential. Theoretically, the discrete maximum principle of our method is unconditionally preserved. Moreover, the analysis of error in the infinite norm with second-order accuracy is conducted in both time and space. Finally, numerical tests are given to corroborate our theoretical conclusions and the efficiency of the proposed method

The Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor Family in the Honey Bee, Apis mellifera

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors play important roles in a wide range of developmental processes in higher organisms. bHLH family members have been identified in a dozen of organisms including fruit fly, mouse and human. In this study, we identified 51 bHLH sequences in silico in the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), genome. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that they belong to 38 bHLH families with 21, 11, 9, 1, 8 and 1 members in high-order groups A, B, C, D, E and F, respectively. Using phylogenetic analyses, all of the 51 bHLH sequences were assigned to their corresponding families. Genes that encode ASCb, NeuroD, Oligo, Delilah, MyoRb, Figa and Mad were not found in the honey bee genome. The present study provides useful background information for future studies using the honey bee as a model system for insect development