One of the highest priorities of present-day experimental particle and nuclear physics is to search for indications of physics which is not contained in the Standard Model. Precision measurements of quantities that are robustly predicted within the Standard Model are an important class of such searches. An example is a measurement of the proton's weak charge. The weak charge is the strength of the proton's vector coupling to the weak neutral current, and its value is a firm prediction of the Standard Model. Thus an experimental test of the prediction is well motivated as a search for new physics. A recently completed experiment at Jefferson Lab, Qweak, has the goal of making the first precision measurement of the weak charge, using parity-violating electron scattering from hydrogen at very low momentum transfer. The result from the first subset of data will be presented, as well as an overview of the data analysis for the full data set and prospects for the final result, which will provide a sensitivity to new physics at the multi-TeV scale.

Abstract: "Linguists have been teaching the general public for several decades now that traditional conceptions of "bad" versus "good" grammar are not based on scientific argumentation, but certain fashions laid down by assorted thinkers mostly in the eighteenth century. However, the public remains convinced that most speakers of English go about speaking it "wrong." In this talk, I try to present the linguist's perspective in a new way, showing that while all people must learn standard grammar for public purposes, nonstandard grammar is distinct, but not logically mistaken."

All are welcome

Title:  Hirzebruch's proof of his Signature Theorem

Abstract:  We will prove Hirzebruch's signature theorem and show its utility in a computation.

Title:  Strings of composite numbers

Abstract:  Given d and e in {1,...,9} we consider the set of positive integers k that have the following property: k with d appended on the right n times is composite for all positive integers n. We also consider the set of positive integers k that have the following property: k with d and e appended alternately on the left and right (i.e. k,kd,ekd,ekdd...) is always composite regardless of the number of appended digits. We will discuss methods for finding elements in these sets and also consider finding their minimum elements.

Title:  Sub-Exponential Decay Estimates on Trace Norms of Localized Functions of Schrodinger Operators

Abstract:  In 1973, Combes and Thomas discovered a general technique for showing exponential decay of eigenfunctions. The technique involved proving the exponential decay of the resolvent of the Schrodinger operator localized between two distant regions. Since then, the technique has been applied to several types of Schrodinger operators. Recent work has also shown the Combes–Thomas method works well with trace class and Hilbert–Schmidt type operators. In this talk, we build on those results by applying the Combes–Thomas method in the trace, Hilbert–Schmidt, and other trace-type norms to prove sub-exponential decay estimates on functions of Schrodinger operators localized between two distant regions.

Title:  The lattice of bipartitions

Abstract:  Bipartitional relations were introduced by Foata and Zeilberger, who showed these are precisely the relations which give rise to equidistribution of the associated inversion statistic and major index. In this talk we consider the natural partial order on bipartitional relations given by inclusion, and prove that the Möbius function of each of is intervals is 0, 1, or -1. To achieve this goal we will explore the topology of the order complex. We will see that bipartitional relations on a set of size n form a graded lattice of rank 3n-2. The order complex of this lattice is homotopy equivalent to a sphere of dimension n-2. Each proper interval in this lattice has either a contractible order complex, or it is isomorphic to the direct product of Boolean lattices and smaller lattices of bipartitional relations. The main tool in the proofs of these results is discrete Morse theory as developed by Forman, and an application of this theory to order complexes of graded posets, designed by Babson and Hersh.

This is joint work with Christian Krattenthaler.

Creative Writing Awards

The deadline for submission of manuscripts to the Department of English's 2014 Dantzler fiction andFarquhar poetry contests is Wednesday, March 26 at 4:00 p.m.

Paper manuscripts should be submitted to Professor Gurney Norman, Department of English, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506. They can also be delivered to 1213 Patterson Office Tower, Monday throughFriday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fiction entries are limited to 3000 words. Poetry entries are limited to five poems or three manuscript pages.

The contest is for University of Kentucky undergraduate students only. The winning prize in each category is $250.

The Department of English has presented the Dantzler and Farquhar awards annually since 1953. Many of the winners have gone on to have successful literary careers.