Model-Independent Constraints on Lorentz Invariance Violation via the Cosmographic Approach

Since Lorentz invariance plays an important role in modern physics, it is of interest to test the possible Lorentz invariance violation (LIV). The time-lag (the arrival time delay between light curves in different energy bands) of Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) has been extensively used to this end. However, to our best knowledge, one or more particular cosmological models were assumed {\it a priori} in (almost) all of the relevant works in the literature. So, this makes the results on LIV in those works model-dependent and hence not so robust in fact. In the present work, we try to avoid this problem by using a model-independent approach. We calculate the time delay induced by LIV with the cosmic expansion history given in terms of cosmography, without assuming any particular cosmological model. Then, we constrain the possible LIV with the observational data, and find weak hints for LIV.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, revtex4; v2: discussions added, Phys. Lett. B in pres

Quantifying and Reducing Stereotypes in Word Embeddings

Machine learning algorithms are optimized to model statistical properties of the training data. If the input data reflects stereotypes and biases of the broader society, then the output of the learning algorithm also captures these stereotypes. In this paper, we initiate the study of gender stereotypes in {\em word embedding}, a popular framework to represent text data. As their use becomes increasingly common, applications can inadvertently amplify unwanted stereotypes. We show across multiple datasets that the embeddings contain significant gender stereotypes, especially with regard to professions. We created a novel gender analogy task and combined it with crowdsourcing to systematically quantify the gender bias in a given embedding. We developed an efficient algorithm that reduces gender stereotype using just a handful of training examples while preserving the useful geometric properties of the embedding. We evaluated our algorithm on several metrics. While we focus on male/female stereotypes, our framework may be applicable to other types of embedding biases.Comment: presented at 2016 ICML Workshop on #Data4Good: Machine Learning in Social Good Applications, New York, N

Artificial Gauge Field and Quantum Spin Hall States in a Conventional Two-dimensional Electron Gas

Based on the Born-Oppemheimer approximation, we divide total electron Hamiltonian in a spinorbit coupled system into slow orbital motion and fast interband transition process. We find that the fast motion induces a gauge field on slow orbital motion, perpendicular to electron momentum, inducing a topological phase. From this general designing principle, we present a theory for generating artificial gauge field and topological phase in a conventional two-dimensional electron gas embedded in parabolically graded GaAs/In$_{x}$Ga$_{1-x}$As/GaAs quantum wells with antidot lattices. By tuning the etching depth and period of antidot lattices, the band folding caused by superimposed potential leads to formation of minibands and band inversions between the neighboring subbands. The intersubband spin-orbit interaction opens considerably large nontrivial minigaps and leads to many pairs of helical edge states in these gaps.Comment: 9 pages and 4 figure

Extraction and Recovery of Cerium from Rare Earth Ore by Solvent Extraction

Rare earth elements are widely found in many minerals, some of which, such as bastnaesite, monazite, and xenotime, are of great commercial value. Cerium (Ce) is the rare earth element with the highest content in light rare earth ore. Solvent extraction is the most effective and efficient method to recover and separate Ce from other light rare earth elements. After acid leaching of rare earth minerals, leaching solution was obtained, and cerium oxide of products of high purity was obtained by extraction and stripping. It is well known that Ce(IV) can be easily separated from the other RE(III) by adopting the traditional solvent extraction. Based on this principle, the clean process of oxidation roasting and Ce(IV) separation for Sichuan bastnaesite was developed. And then, a preliminary flow sheet of two-step oxidation and extraction of Ce(IV) for Bayan Obo mixed rare earth ores was further proposed

Seismic pounding between adjacent buildings of unequal floor height

When the story heights of adjacent buildings are unequal, the inter-floor pounding maybe happen during earthquake. Employing substructures in pounding area, the analytical model of adjacent structures with unequal story height is developed, and the equations of motion considering pounding are derived. Based on analytical model, the inter-floor pounding responses of adjacent buildings with unequal story height are investigated. The corresponding parametrical studies are conducted and influence rules are concluded. The results show that the influences of inter-floor pounding in adjacent buildings on main structures are smaller than those of floor pounding. But the damages on pounding area are quite large. Moreover, the period ratio of structures, the initial gap and the pounding location have remarkable influence on responses of inter-floor pounding