On string topology of classifying spaces

Let G be a compact Lie group. By work of Chataur and Menichi, the homology of the space of free loops in the classifying space of G is known to be the value on the circle in a homological conformal field theory. This means in particular that it admits operations parameterized by homology classes of classifying spaces of diffeomorphism groups of surfaces. Here we present a radical extension of this result, giving a new construction in which diffeomorphisms are replaced with homotopy equivalences, and surfaces with boundary are replaced with arbitrary spaces homotopy equivalent to finite graphs. The result is a novel kind of field theory which is related to both the diffeomorphism groups of surfaces and the automorphism groups of free groups with boundaries. Our work shows that the algebraic structures in string topology of classifying spaces can be brought into line with, and in fact far exceed, those available in string topology of manifolds. For simplicity, we restrict to the characteristic 2 case. The generalization to arbitrary characteristic will be addressed in a subsequent paper.     

Muckenhoupt weights and Lindelöf theorem for harmonic mappings

We extend the result of Lavrentiev which asserts that the harmonic measure and the arc-length measure are _A∞$A_{\infty }$ equivalent in a chord-arc Jordan domain. By using this result we extend the classical result of Lindelöf to the class of quasiconformal (q.c.) harmonic mappings by proving the following assertion. Assume that f is a quasiconformal harmonic mapping of the unit disk U onto a Jordan domain. Then the function A(z)=arg?(_∂φ(f(z))/z)$A(z)=\arg ?({\partial }_{\phi }(f(z))/z)$ where z=re^iφ$z=r{e}^{i\phi }$, is well-defined and smooth in U^?={z:0<|z|<1}${\mathbf{U}}^{?}=\{z:0<|z|<1\}$ and has a continuous extension to the boundary of the unit disk if and only if the image domain has C¹$C^1$ boundary.     

Infinitesimal 2-braidings and differential crossed modules

We categorify the notion of an infinitesimal braiding in a linear strict symmetric monoidal category, leading to the notion of a (strict) infinitesimal 2-braiding in a linear symmetric strict monoidal 2-category. We describe the associated categorification of the 4-term relations, leading to six categorified relations. We prove that any infinitesimal 2-braiding gives rise to a flat and fake flat 2-connection in the configuration space of n particles in the complex plane, hence to a categorification of the Knizhnik–Zamolodchikov connection. We discuss infinitesimal 2-braidings in a certain monoidal 2-category naturally assigned to every differential crossed module, leading to the notion of a symmetric quasi-invariant tensor in a differential crossed module. Finally, we prove that symmetric quasi-invariant tensors exist in the differential crossed module associated to Wagemann's version of the String Lie-2-algebra. As a corollary, we obtain a more conceptual proof of the flatness of a previously constructed categorified Knizhnik–Zamolodchikov connection with values in the String Lie-2-algebra.     

UCT-Kirchberg algebras have nuclear dimension one

We prove that every Kirchberg algebra in the UCT class has nuclear dimension 1. We first show that Kirchberg 2-graph algebras with trivial _K0$K_0$ and finite _K1$K_1$ have nuclear dimension 1 by adapting a technique developed by Winter and Zacharias for Cuntz algebras. We then prove that every Kirchberg algebra in the UCT class is a direct limit of 2-graph algebras to obtain our main theorem.     

The Green function for the mixed problem for the linear Stokes system in domains in the plane

We construct the Green function for the mixed boundary value problem for the linear Stokes system in a two‐dimensional Lipschitz domain.     

A spectral element method using the modal basis and its application in solving second‐order nonlinear partial differential equations

We present a high‐order spectral element method (SEM) using modal (or hierarchical) basis for modeling of some nonlinear second‐order partial differential equations in two‐dimensional spatial space. The discretization is based on the conforming spectral element technique in space and the semi‐implicit or the explicit finite difference formula in time. Unlike the nodal SEM, which is based on the Lagrange polynomials associated with the Gauss–Lobatto–Legendre or Chebyshev quadrature nodes, the Lobatto polynomials are used in this paper as modal basis. Using modal bases due to their orthogonal properties enables us to exactly obtain the elemental matrices provided that the element‐wise mapping has the constant Jacobian. The difficulty of implementation of modal approximations for nonlinear problems is treated in this paper by expanding the nonlinear terms in the weak form of differential equations in terms of the Lobatto polynomials on each element using the fast Fourier transform (FFT). Utilization of the Fourier interpolation on equidistant points in the FFT algorithm and the enough polynomial order of approximation of the nonlinear terms can lead to minimize the aliasing error. Also, this approach leads to finding numerical solution of a nonlinear differential equation through solving a system of linear algebraic equations. Numerical results for some famous nonlinear equations illustrate efficiency, stability and convergence properties of the approximation scheme, which is exponential in space and up to third‐order in time. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural,optical and photocatalytic properties of (Mg,Al)-codoped ZnO powders prepared by sol–gel method

Structural and optical properties of 1 at % Al-doped Zn_1−xMg_xO (x=0–8%) powders prepared by sol–gel method were systematically investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible absorbance measurement, photoluminescence and Raman scattering spectra. All the powders retained the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. The band gap and near band emission energies determined from absorbance and photoluminescence spectra increased linearly with increasing Mg content, respectively, which implied that the Mg worked effectively on ZnO band gap engineering, irrespective of Al codoping. However, according to the PL and Raman scattering studies, for the sample of x=8%, the Al doping efficiency was decreased by higher Mg codoping. On the other hand, the effect of Mg codoping on photocatalytic degradation of methylene orange was explored experimentally. The substitution of Mg ions at Zn sites shifted the conduction band toward higher energies and then enhanced the photocatalytic activity, while the incorporation of interstitial Mg ions and decreased Al doping efficiency for higher Mg doping sample (x=8%) reduced the photocatalytic activity.     

Applicability of medium-size basis sets in calculations of molecular dynamic polarisabilities

Static and dynamic average polarisabilities and polarisability anisotropies of seven linear non-polar and polar molecules are calculated within the CCS, CC2, and CC3 approximations using a range of medium-sized basis sets: the polarised LPol-n (n = ds, dl, fs, fl), the aug-pc-n (n = 1, 2), the def2-SVPD, and -TZVPD basis sets. Reference values are obtained using a hierarchy of Dunning's (d-)aug-cc-pVXZ (X = D, T, Q, 5) basis sets. The results are discussed together with the available CCSD values in terms of basis set and correlation method errors, and their ratio. Detailed analysis shows that already the def2-SVPD basis set can be used in CCS polarisability calculations. When affordable, the slightly larger aug-pc-1 basis set is recommended, as it leads to significant reduction of basis set error. The def2-TZVPD, LPol-ds, and aug-pc-2 basis sets are optimal choice within the CC2 approximation, with the latter allowing to approach the CC2 basis set limit. The LPol-ds, -dl, and def2-TZVPD sets outperform the aug-cc-pVTZ set in average polarisability CCSD calculations, with the def2-TZVPD being competitive to other reduced-size sets also in determination of polarisability anisotropy. The aug-pc-2 basis is a particularly attractive choice for CCSD, giving the accuracy of aug-cc-pVQZ at a significantly reduced computational cost. The polarisability anisotropy is shown to be more computationally demanding than the average polarisability, in particular with respect to the accuracy of the correlation method and an accurate evaluation of this property requires at least the CCSD model.     

Orientational order parameter studies on 3.Om and 3O.Om liquid crystals

Orientational order parameter S is evaluated in the nematic phase of six liquid crystal compounds, N-(p-n-propyl benzylidene)-p-n-alkoxy anilines, 3.Om and N-(p-n-propyloxy benzylidene)-p-n-alkoxy anilines, 3O.Om compounds with m = 6, 7 and 8, using different methods. The techniques employed are S from birefringence δn, Haller's approximation from (1?T/T_c) ^β, effective geometry parameter α_g and Vuks’ scaling factor S_C. The values of S obtained using the above methods are compared with one another and with the results on a number of liquid crystals; the liquid crystals favor isotropic Vuks’ method.