Search

Controlled Direct Effect (CDE) is one of the causal estimands used to evaluate both exposure and mediation effects on an outcome. When there are unmeasured confounders existing between the mediator and the outcome, the ordinary identification assumption does not work. In this manuscript, we consider an identification condition to identify CDE in the presence of unmeasured confounders. The key assumptions are: 1) the random allocation of the exposure, and 2) the existence of instrumental variables directly related to the mediator. Under these conditions, we propose a novel doubly robust estimation method, which work well if either the propensity score model or the baseline outcome model is correctly specified. Additionally, we propose a Generalized Information Criterion (GIC)-based model selection criterion for CDE that ensures model selection consistency. Our proposed procedure and related methods are applied to both simulation and real datasets to confirm the performance of these methods. Our proposed method can select the correct model with high probability and accurately estimate CDE., Comment: Keywords: double robustness, instrumental variable, model selection, structural mean model, UK biobank

We present the lattice simulation of the renormalization group flow in the $3$-dimensional $O(N)$ linear sigma model. This model possesses a nontrivial infrared fixed point, called Wilson--Fisher fixed point. Arguing that the parameter space of running coupling constants can be spanned by expectation values of operators evolved by the gradient flow, we exemplify a scaling behavior analysis based on the gradient flow in the large $N$ approximation at criticality. Then, we work out the numerical simulation of the theory with finite $N$. Depicting the renormalization group flow along the gradient flow, we confirm the existence of the Wilson--Fisher fixed point non-perturbatively., Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, talk presented at the 41st International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice2024), July 28th - August 3rd, 2024, The University of Liverpool

Particle acceleration and magnetic field amplification in relativistic shocks propagating in inhomogeneous media are investigated by three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations and test-particle simulations. The MHD simulations show that the interaction between the relativistic shock and dense clumps amplifies the downstream magnetic field to the value expected from observations of the gamma-ray burst. The test-particle simulations in the electromagnetic field given by the MHD simulation show that particles are accelerated by the downstream turbulence and the relativistic shock. We provide the injection energy to the shock acceleration in this system. If the amplitude of upstream density fluctuations is sufficiently large, low-energy particles are initially accelerated to the injection energy by the downstream turbulence and then rapidly accelerated to higher energies by the relativistic shock. Therefore, the density fluctuation significantly affects particle acceleration in the relativistic shock., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in ApJL

Recently, lattice formulations of Abelian chiral gauge theory in two dimensions have been devised on the basis of the Abelian bosonization. A salient feature of these 2D lattice formulations is that the gauge invariance is \emph{exactly\/} preserved for anomaly-free theories and thus is completely free from the question of the gauge mode decoupling. In the present paper, we propose a yet another lattice formulation sharing this desired property. A particularly unique point in our formulation is that the vertex operator of the dual scalar field, which carries the vector charge of the fermion and the ``magnetic charge'' in the bosonization, is represented by a ``hole'' excised from the lattice; this is the excision method formulated recently by Abe et al. in a somewhat different context., Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, the final version to appear in PTEP

Determination of refractive index of micro-disks of a calcinated ($1100^\circ$C in air) photo-resist SZ2080$^\mathrm{TM}$ was carried out using transmission and reflection spectroscopy. Interference fringes at specific wavenumbers/wavelengths were selected for determination of the optical thickness, hence, the refractive index when the thickness of micro-disks was measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Refractive index of disks of $\sim 6\pm 1~\mu$m thickness were determined at visible and IR (2.5-13~$\mu$m) spectral ranges and where $2.2\pm 0.2$ at visible and IR wavelengths. Peculiarities of optical characterisation of micro-optical structures are discussed in view of possible uncertainties in the definition of geometric parameters, shape and mass density redistribution., Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, 1 supplementary page. 52 references

In $U(1)$ lattice gauge theory with compact $U(1)$ variables, we construct the symmetry operator, i.e.\ the topological defect, for the axial $U(1)$ noninvertible symmetry. This requires a lattice formulation of chiral gauge theory with an anomalous matter content and we employ the lattice formulation on the basis of the Ginsparg--Wilson relation. The invariance of the symmetry operator under the gauge transformation of the gauge field on the defect is realized, imitating the prescription by Karasik in continuum theory, by integrating the lattice Chern--Simons term on the defect over \emph{smooth\/} lattice gauge transformations. The projection operator for allowed magnetic fluxes on the defect then emerges with lattice regularization. The resulting symmetry operator is manifestly invariant under lattice gauge transformations. In an appendix, we give another way of constructing the symmetry operator on the basis of a 3D $\mathbb{Z}_N$ topological quantum field theory, the level-$N$ BF theory on the lattice., Comment: 47 pages, 5 figures, the final version to appear in PTEP

In this talk, we give the lattice regularized formulation of the mixed 't Hooft anomaly between the $\mathbb{Z}_N$ $1$-form symmetry and the $\theta$ periodicity for $4$d pure Yang-Mills theory, which was originally discussed by Gaiotto $\textit{et al.}$ in the continuum description. For this purpose, we define the topological charge of the lattice $SU(N)$ gauge theory coupled with the background $\mathbb{Z}_N$ $2$-form gauge fields $B_p$ by generalizing L\"uscher's construction of the $SU(N)$ topological charge. We show that this lattice topological charge enjoys the fractional $1/N$ shift completely characterized by the background gauge field $B_p$, and this rigorously proves the mixed 't Hooft anomaly with the finite lattice spacings. As a consequence, the Yang-Mills vacua at $\theta$ and $\theta+2\pi$ are distinct as the symmetry-protected topological states when the confinement is assumed., Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, talk presented at the 40th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice2023), July 31st - August 4th, 2023, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

The creation of multilayer graphene (Gr), while preserving the brilliant properties of monolayer Gr derived from its unique band structure, can expand the application field of Gr to the macroscale. However, the energy-favorable AB stacking structure in the multilayer Gr induces a strong interlayer interaction and alters the band structure. Consequently, the intrinsic properties of each monolayer are degraded. In this work, we insert carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as nanospacers to modulate the microstructure of multilayer stacking Gr. Nanospacers can increase the interlayer distance and reduce the interlayer interaction. The Gr/CNT stacking structure is experimentally fabricated using a dry transfer method in a layer-by-layer manner. Raman spectroscopy verifies the reduction in the interlayer interaction within the stacking structure. Atomic force microscopy shows an increase in the interlayer distance, which can explain the weakening of the interlayer interactions. The microstructure of the stacked Gr and CNTs is studied by molecular dynamics simulation to systematically investigate the effect of CNT insertion. We found that the distribution distance, size, and arrangement of the CNT can modulate the interlayer distance. These results will help us to understand and improve the properties of the composite systems consisting of Gr and CNTs., Comment: This is the submitted version before review and revision

Four Stokes parameters (1852) define the polarisation state of light. Measured changes of the Stokes vector of light traversing an inhomogeneous sample are linked to the local anisotropies of absorption and refraction and are harnessed over an increasing range of applications in photonics, material, and space/earth observation. Several independent polarisation sensitive measurements are usually required for determination of the all four Stokes parameters, which makes such characterisation procedure time-consuming or requires complex setups. Here we introduce a single-snapshot approach to Stokes polarimetry in transmission by use of a 4-polarisation camera with the on-chip integrated polarisers. A quarter-waveplate was added in front of the sample and was illuminated by a linearly polarised light. This approach is demonstrated by measuring birefringence $\Delta n\sim 0.012$ of spider silk of only $\sim 6~\mu$m-diameter using microscopy, however, due to its generic nature, it is transferable to other spectral ranges and imaging applications, e.g., imaging from a fast moving satellite or drone or monitoring fast changing events such as phase transitions., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures

Nonresponse after probability sampling is a universal challenge in survey sampling, often necessitating adjustments to mitigate sampling and selection bias simultaneously. This study explored the removal of bias and effective utilization of available information, not just in nonresponse but also in the scenario of data integration, where summary statistics from other data sources are accessible. We reformulate these settings within a two-step monotone missing data framework, where the first step of missingness arises from sampling and the second originates from nonresponse. Subsequently, we derive the semiparametric efficiency bound for the target parameter. We also propose adaptive estimators utilizing methods of moments and empirical likelihood approaches to attain the lower bound. The proposed estimator exhibits both efficiency and double robustness. However, attaining efficiency with an adaptive estimator requires the correct specification of certain working models. To reinforce robustness against the misspecification of working models, we extend the property of double robustness to multiple robustness by proposing a two-step empirical likelihood method that effectively leverages empirical weights. A numerical study is undertaken to investigate the finite-sample performance of the proposed methods. We further applied our methods to a dataset from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data by efficiently incorporating summary statistics from the National Health Interview Survey data., Comment: 2 figures

We first study the solar flare time sequence based on the GOES16 data. We find that the power spectrum density of the low-energy (E\leq E_{mean}) flare shows 1/f fluctuations, but the high-energy (E>E_{mean}) flare shows a flat spectrum. Further, we found that the flare timing time-sequence shows 1/f fluctuations clearer. These facts indicate that the solar flare 1/f fluctuations are associated with low-energy phenomena. We investigate the origin of this 1/f fluctuations based on our recent proposal: 1/f fluctuations arise from amplitude modulation and demodulation. We speculate that this amplitude modulation is encoded by the resonance with the Solar Five-minute Oscillation (SFO) and demodulated by magnetic reconnection. We partially demonstrate this scenario by analyzing the SFO eigenmodes resolving the frequency degeneracy in the azimuthal order number m by solar rotation and resonance. Since 1/f fluctuation is robust, we speculate that the solar flare 1/f fluctuations may be inherited by the various phenomena around the Sun, such as the sunspot numbers and the cosmic rays. Finally, we compare the solar flares and the earthquakes, both showing 1/f fluctuations. Interestingly, the same analysis for solar flares is possible for earthquakes if we read SFO as Earth's Free Oscillation, and magnetic reconnection as fault rupture. Furthermore, we point out the possibility that the same analysis also applies to the activity of the black hole/disk system if we read SFO as the Quasi-Periodic Oscillation of a black hole., Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, 1 table

In this paper, we give a brief overview of generalized symmetries from the point of view of the lattice regularization as a fully regularized framework. At first, we illustrate the generalization of 't~Hooft anomaly matching for higher-form symmetries. Furthermore the main interest goes to the higher-group symmetry. In particular, we find that the so-called $4$-group appears in the lattice Yang--Mills theory under modification of instanton sum., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, talk presented at the 40th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice2023), July 31st - August 4th, 2023, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

A simulation workflow is under development to interface particle data transfer and matching of geometry between the electromagnetic (EM) cavity simulation code ACE3P and radiation code Geant4. The target is to simulate dark current (DC) radiation effects for the KEK 56-cell S-band accelerating structure using ACE3P and Geant4, and benchmark against KEK experiment data. As a first step, ACE3P DC simulations using a 7-cell structure have been performed by first calculating the operating mode in the structure and then tracking field-emitted electrons under the influence of the EM fields of the mode. The ACE3P simulation results agree well with the EM software CST for an accelerating gradient of 21.8 MV/m. The reader/writer I/O in ACE3P and the transfer of particle data from Track3P to Geant4 for DC radiation effects studies have been implemented. The simulation workflow between the two codes will be demonstrated with the goal of performing large-scale simulations for the KEK 56-cell structure. In addition to modeling DC effects in linacs, the integrated simulation workflow will be applicable to studying positron source and capture structure for future lepton colliders., Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures. Talk presented at the International Workshop on Future Linear Colliders (LCWS 2023), 15-19 May 2023. C23-05-15.3

Hexagonal manganese oxides RMnO$_3$ show intriguing topological ferroelectric-domain walls with variable conductivity, leading to domain wall engineering. Despite the numerous experimental studies on the polar nanoscale structures, controlling ferroelectric domains has not been sufficiently investigated. Here, we reveal the unprecedented coexistence of polar-nonpolar nanoscale domains that can be formed by substituting Ti ions in HoMnO$_3$. Unusual polar nanoscale domains are embedded in nonpolar domains with different crystallographic symmetry. This polar-nonpolar coexisting structure is naturally assembled by adjusting the lattice length during a solid-state reaction process. Furthermore, the comprehensive study reveals that the reversible microstructural change with a nonpolar-polar transition is strongly correlated with the oxygen storage properties in Ho(Mn, Ti)O$_{3+\delta}$. The present results provide important insight into the nanoscale polar-nonpolar domain coexistence in functional rare-earth manganese oxides, RMnO$_3$.

We first report that the seismic time-sequence data from around the world, excluding major earthquakes, consistently yield the power spectral density inversely proportional to the frequency f. This is the 1/f fluctuation that appears ubiquitously in nature. We investigate the origin of this 1/f fluctuation based on our recent proposal: 1/f noise is amplitude modulation and demodulation. We hypothesize that the amplitude modulation is linked to resonance with Earth's Free Oscillations (EFO), with demodulation occurring during fault ruptures. We provide partial validation of this hypothesis through an analysis of EFO eigenmodes. Additionally, we outline potential methods for the future verification of our theory relating 1/f fluctuations to EFO., Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures

Object detection models, which are widely used in various domains (such as retail), have been shown to be vulnerable to adversarial attacks. Existing methods for detecting adversarial attacks on object detectors have had difficulty detecting new real-life attacks. We present X-Detect, a novel adversarial patch detector that can: i) detect adversarial samples in real time, allowing the defender to take preventive action; ii) provide explanations for the alerts raised to support the defender's decision-making process, and iii) handle unfamiliar threats in the form of new attacks. Given a new scene, X-Detect uses an ensemble of explainable-by-design detectors that utilize object extraction, scene manipulation, and feature transformation techniques to determine whether an alert needs to be raised. X-Detect was evaluated in both the physical and digital space using five different attack scenarios (including adaptive attacks) and the COCO dataset and our new Superstore dataset. The physical evaluation was performed using a smart shopping cart setup in real-world settings and included 17 adversarial patch attacks recorded in 1,700 adversarial videos. The results showed that X-Detect outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in distinguishing between benign and adversarial scenes for all attack scenarios while maintaining a 0% FPR (no false alarms) and providing actionable explanations for the alerts raised. A demo is available.