ContributionsSign-balanced covering matrices

A q × n array with entries from 0, 1,…,q − 1 is said to form a difference matrix if the vector difference (modulo q) of each pair of columns consists of a permutation of [0, 1,… q − 1]; this definition is inverted from the more standard one to be found, e.g., in Colbourn and de Launey (1996). The following idea generalizes this notion: Given an appropriate δ (-[−1, 1]^t, a λq × n array will be said to form a (t, q, λ, Δ) sign-balanced matrix if for each choice C₁, C₂,…, C_t of t columns and for each choice = (₁,…,_t) Δ of signs, the linear combination ∑_j=1^t _jC_j contains (mod q) each entry of [0, 1,…, q − 1] exactly λ times. We consider the following extremal problem in this paper: How large does the number k = k(n, t, q, λ, δ) of rows have to be so that for each choice of t columns and for each choice (₁, …, _t) of signs in δ, the linear combination ∑_j=1^t _jC_j contains each entry of [0, 1,…, q t- 1] at least λ times? We use probabilistic methods, in particular the Lovász local lemma and the Stein-Chen method of Poisson approximation to obtain general (logarithmic) upper bounds on the numbers k(n, t, q, λ, δ), and to provide Poisson approximations for the probability distribution of the number W of deficient sets of t columns, given a random array. It is proved, in addition, that arithmetic modulo q yields the smallest array - in a sense to be described.     

PARTIAL VERSUS GENERAL STORAGE POLICY: COMMODITIES AND RESOURCES

This paper examines joint storage considerations when both commodities and resources can be stored, e.g., grain and water for irrigation. Results suggest that when separate agencies control public resource and commodity storage, suboptimal storage rules occur unless (i) each agency is sensitive to the policies of the other, (ii) commodity inventories are adjusted in response to prices, and (iii) resource inventories are adjusted in response to both commodity demand and resource supply conditions. For example, the common case where water storage depends on weather and reservoir conditions alone is not sufficiently general. The results imply that water management agencies that tend to be dominated by engineers and hydrological considerations need to incorporate economic considerations into decision processes.     

Quantum diffusion of positive muons

Recent studies of the diffusion of positive muons in metals, particularly aluminium, are reviewed. At low temperatures, quantum tunnelling is an important process for the mobility of the muons and experiments aimed at the study of tunnelling in the presence of phonons and conduction electrons are discussed. The concept of quantum diffusion is introduced and the conditions for quantum diffusion and quantum propagation (i.e. band-like motion) in normal and superconducting metals are compared.     

Convergence of dynamical zeta functions

I study poles and zeros of zeta functions in one-dimensional maps. Numerical and analytical arguments are given to show that the first pole of one such zeta function is given by the first zero ofanother zeta function: this describes convergence of the calculations of the first zero, which is generally the physically interesting quantity. Some remarks on how these results should generalize to zeta functions of dynamical systems with pruned symbolic dynamics and in higher dimensions follow.     

Some homological properties of commutative semitrivial ring extensions

LetR be a commutative ring with 1 andM anR-module. If:M _R MR is anR-module homomorphism satisfying(mm)=(mm) and(mm)m=m(mm), the additive abelian groupRM becomes a commutative ring, if multiplication is defined by (r,m)(r,m)=(rr+(mm),rm+rm). This ring is called the semitrivial extension ofR byM and and it is denoted byR M. This generalizes the notion of a trivial extension and leads to a more interesting variety of examples. The purpose of this paper is to studyR M; in particular, we are interested in some homological properties ofR M as that of being Cohen-Macaulay, Gorenstein or regular. A sample result: Let (R,m) be a local Noetherian ring,M a finitely generatedR-module and Im() m. ThenR M is Gorenstein if and only if eitherRM is Gorenstein orR is Gorenstein,M is a maximal Cohen-Macaulay module andMM ^*, where the isomorphism is given by the adjoint of.     

Analyticity properties of eigenfunctions and scattering matrix

For potentialsV=V(x)=O(|x|^–2–) for |x|,x³ we prove that if theS-matrix of (–, –+V) has an analytic extension to a regionO in the lower half-plane, then the family of generalized eigenfunctions of –+V has an analytic extension toO such that for |Imk|<b. Consequently, the resolvent (–+V–z ²)^–1 has an analytic continuation from ⁺ to {kOImk|<b} as an operator from _b ={f=e ^–b|x| g|gL ₂(³)} to _–b . Based on this, we define for potentialsW=o(e ^–2b|x|) resonances of (–+V, –+V+W) as poles of and identify these resonances with poles of the analytically continuedS-matrix of (–+V, –+V+W).The author would like to thank the Institute for Advanced Study for its hospitality and the National Science Foundation for financial support under Grant No. DMS-8610730(1)     

C=1 conformal field theories on Riemann surfaces

We study the theory ofc=1 torus and ₂-orbifold models on general Riemann surfaces. The operator content and occurrence of multi-critical points in this class of theories is discussed. The partition functions and correlation functions of vertex operators and twist fields are calculated using the theory of double covered Riemann surfaces. It is shown that orbifold partition functions are sensitive to the Torelli group. We give an algebraic construction of the operator formulation of these nonchiral theories on higher genus surfaces. Modular transformations are naturally incorporated as canonical transformations in the Hilbert space.     

Nanoscale organization of the pathogen receptor DC-SIGN mapped by single-molecule high-resolution fluorescence microscopy.

DC-SIGN, a C-type lectin exclusively expressed on dendritic cells (DCs), plays an important role in pathogen recognition by binding with high affinity to a large variety of microorganisms. Recent experimental evidence points to a direct relation between the function of DC-SIGN as a viral receptor and its spatial arrangement on the plasma membrane. We have investigated the nanoscale organization of fluorescently labeled DC-SIGN on intact isolated DCs by means of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) combined with single-molecule detection. Fluorescence spots of different intensity and size have been directly visualized by optical means with a spatial resolution of less than 100 nm. Intensity- and size-distribution histograms of the DC-SIGN fluorescent spots confirm that approximately 80 % of the receptors are organized in nanosized domains randomly distributed on the cell membrane. Intensity-size correlation analysis revealed remarkable heterogeneity in the molecular packing density of the domains. Furthermore, we have mapped the intermolecular organization within a dense cluster by means of sequential NSOM imaging combined with discrete single-molecule photobleaching. In this way we have determined the spatial coordinates of 13 different individual dyes, with a localization accuracy of 6 nm. Our experimental observations are all consistent with an arrangement of DC-SIGN designed to maximize its chances of binding to a wide range of microorganisms. Our data also illustrate the potential of NSOM as an ultrasensitive, high-resolution technique to probe nanometer-scale organization of molecules on the cell membrane.