Vacuum domain walls in D dimensions: Local and global space-time structure
We study local and global gravitational effects of (D-2)-brane configurations (domain walls) in the vacuum of D-dimensional space-time. We focus on infinitely thin vacuum domain walls with arbitrary cosmological constants on either side of the wall. In the comoving frame of the wall we derive a general metric ansatz, consistent with the homogeneity and isotropy of the space-time intrinsic to the wall, and employ Israel's matching conditions at the wall. The space-time, intrinsic to the wall, is that of a (D-1)-dimensional Freedman-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker universe (with k=-1,0,1) which has a (local) description as either anti-de Sitter, Minkowski or de Sitter space-time. For each of these geometries, we provide a systematic classification of the local and global space-time structure transverse to the walls, for those with both positive and negative tension; they fall into different classes according to the values of their energy density relative to that of the extreme (supersymmetric) configurations. We find that in any dimension D, both local and global space-time structure for each class of domain walls is universal. We also comment on the phenomenological implications of these walls in the special case of D=5.

title: Gauge invariant effective Lagrangian for Kaluza-Klein modes
abstract: We construct a manifestly gauge invariant Lagrangian in $3+1$ dimensions for N Kaluza-Klein modes of an $\mathrm{SU}(m)$ gauge theory in the bulk. For example, if the bulk is $4+1,$ the effective theory is ${\ensuremath{\Pi}}_{i=1}^{N+1}{\mathrm{SU}(m)}_{i}$ with N chiral $(\overline{m},m)$ fields connecting the groups sequentially. This can be viewed as a Wilson action for a transverse lattice in ${x}^{5},$ and is shown explicitly to match the continuum $4+1$ compactified Lagrangian truncated in momentum space. Scale dependence of the gauge couplings is described by the standard renormalization group technique with threshold matching, leading to effective power law running. We also discuss the unitarity constraints, and chiral fermions.

title: Toward a Unified Model for the “Diffuse Ionized Medium” in Normal and Starburst Galaxies
abstract: The "diffuse ionized medium" (DIM) makes up a significant fraction of the mass and ionization requirements of the interstellar medium of the Milky Way and is now known to be an energetically significant component in most normal star-forming galaxies. Observations of the ionized gas in starburst galaxies have revealed the presence of gas with striking similarities to the DIM in normal galaxies: relatively low surface brightness and strong emission from low-ionization forbidden lines like [S II] λλ6716, 6731. In this paper we analyze Hα images and long-slit spectra of samples of normal and starburst galaxies to better understand the nature of this diffuse, low surface brightness gas. We find that in both samples there is a strong inverse correlation between the Hα surface brightness (ΣHα) and the [S II]/Hα line ratio at a given location in the galaxy. However, the correlation for the starbursts is offset brightward by an order of magnitude in Hα surface brightness at a given line ratio. In contrast, we find that all the galaxies (starburst and normal alike) define a universal relation between line ratio and the relative Hα surface brightness (ΣHα/Σe, where Σe is the mean Hα surface brightness within the galaxy half-light radius). We show that such a universal correlation is a natural outcome of a model in which the DIM is photoionized gas that has a characteristic thermal pressure (P) that is proportional to the mean rate of star formation per unit area in the galaxy (ΣSFR). Good quantitative agreement with the data follows if we require the constant of proportionality to be consistent with the values of P and ΣSFR in the local disk of the Milky Way. Such a scaling between P and ΣSFR may arise either because feedback from massive stars heats the ISM or because ΣSFR is determined (or limited) by the mean gas pressure.

title: Proposal for direct measurement of a pure spin current by a polarized light beam.
abstract: The photon helicity may be mapped to a spin-1/2, whereby we put forward an intrinsic interaction between a polarized light beam as a "photon spin current" and a pure spin current in a semiconductor, which arises from the spin-orbit coupling in valence bands as a pure relativity effect without involving the Rashba or the Dresselhaus effect due to inversion asymmetries. The interaction leads to linear and circular optical birefringence, which are similar to the Voigt effect and the Faraday rotation in magneto-optics but nevertheless involve no net magnetization. The birefringence effects provide a direct, nondemolition measurement of pure spin currents.

title: Three family type IIB orientifold string vacua with non-abelian Wilson lines
abstract: We address the implementation of non-abelian Wilson lines in D = 4 N = 1 type IIB orientifold constructions. We present an explicit three-family example with the gauge group (U(4) × U(2) × SU(2) × SU(2))2 × (U(6) × Spp(4))2 and give the particle spectrum and the trilinear superpotential. Emphasizing the new subtleties associated with the introduction of non-abelian Wilson lines, we show that the abelian gauge anomalies are cancelled by the Green-Schwarz-type mechanism, and calculate the Fayet-Iliopoulos terms and gauge coupling corrections. The analysis thus sets a stage for further investigations of the phenomenological implications of this model.

title: Application of the complex scaling method in relativistic mean-field theory
abstract: We develop the complex scaling method within the framework of the relativistic mean-field (RMF) model. With the self-consistent nuclear potentials from the RMF model, the complex scaling method is used to study single-particle resonant states in spherical nuclei. As examples, the energies and widths of low-lying neutron resonant states in {sup 120}Sn are obtained. The results are compared with those from the real stabilization method, the scattering phase-shift method, and the analytic continuation in the coupling constant approach and satisfactory agreements are found.

title: The Taiwanese-American Occultation Survey: The Multi-Telescope Robotic Observatory
abstract: The Taiwanese-American Occultation Survey (TAOS) operates four fully automatic telescopes to search for occultations of stars by Kuiper Belt Objects. It is a versatile facility that is also useful for the study of initial optical GRB afterglows. This paper provides a detailed description of the TAOS multi-telescope system, control software, and high-speed imaging.

title: Episodic Random Accretion and the Cosmological Evolution of Supermassive Black Hole Spins
abstract: The growth of supermassive black holes (BHs) located at the centers of their host galaxies comes mainly from accretion of gas, but how to fuel them remains an outstanding unsolved problem in quasar evolution. This issue can be elucidated by quantifying the radiative efficiency parameter ($\eta$) as a function of redshift, which also provides constraints on the average spin of the BHs and its possible evolution with time. We derive a formalism to link $\eta$ with the luminosity density, BH mass density, and duty cycle of quasars, quantities we can estimate from existing quasar and galaxy survey data. We find that $\eta$ has a strong cosmological evolution: at z~2, $\eta \approx 0.3$, and by $z\approx 0$ it has decreased by an order of magnitude, to $\eta\approx 0.03$. We interpret this trend as evolution in BH spin, and we appeal to episodic, random accretion as the mechanism for reducing the spin. The observation that the fraction of radio-loud quasars decreases with increasing redshift is inconsistent with the popular notion that BH spin is a critical factor for generating strong radio jets. In agreement with previous studies, we show that the derived history of BH accretion closely follows the cosmic history of star formation, consistent with other evidence that BHs and their host galaxies coevolve.

title: Search for top-quark partners with charge 5/3 in the same-sign dilepton final state.
abstract: A search for the production of heavy partners of the top quark with charge 5/3 is performed in events with a pair of same-sign leptons. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 fb(-1) and was collected at sqrt[s] = 8 TeV by the CMS experiment. No significant excess is observed in the data above the expected background, and the existence of top-quark partners with masses below 800 GeV is excluded at a 95% confidence level, assuming they decay exclusively to tW. This is the first limit on these particles from the LHC, and it is significantly more restrictive than previous limits.

title: Energy conditions and stability in generalized f(R) gravity with arbitrary coupling between matter and geometry
abstract: The energy conditions and the Dolgov–Kawasaki criterion in generalized f ( R ) gravity with arbitrary coupling between matter and geometry are derived in this Letter, which are quite general and can degenerate to the well-known energy conditions in GR and f ( R ) gravity with non-minimal coupling and non-coupling as special cases. In order to get some insight on the meaning of these energy conditions and the Dolgov–Kawasaki criterion, we apply them to a class of models in the FRW cosmology and give some corresponding results.

title: Phase‐space structure in the local dark matter distribution and its signature in direct detection experiments
abstract: We study predictions for dark matter phase-space structure near the Sun based on highresolution simulations of six galaxy halos taken from the Aquarius Project. The local DM density distribution is predicted to be remarkably smooth; the density at the Sun differs from the mean over a best-fit ellipsoidal equidensity contour by less than 15% at the 99.9% confidence level. The local velocity distribution is also very smooth, but it differs systematically from a (multivariate) Gaussian distribution. This is not due to th e presence of individual clumps or streams, but to broad features in the velocity modulus and energy distributions that are stable both in space and time and reflect the detailed assembly histo ry of each halo. These features have a significant impact on the signals predicted for WIMP an d axion searches. For example, WIMP recoil rates can deviate by � 10% from those expected from the best-fit multivariate Gaussian models. The axion spectra in our simulations typically peak at lower frequencies than in the case of multivariate Gaussian velocity distribu tions. Also in this case, the spectra show significant imprints of the formation of the halo. Th is implies that once direct DM detection has become routine, features in the detector sign al will allow us to study the dark matter assembly history of the Milky Way. A new field, “dark ma tter astronomy”, will then emerge.