@article{Menne2016, author = {Menne, Ulrich}, title = {Weakly Differentiable Functions on Varifolds}, series = {Indiana University mathematics journal}, volume = {65}, journal = {Indiana University mathematics journal}, publisher = {Indiana University, Department of Mathematics}, address = {Bloomington}, issn = {0022-2518}, doi = {10.1512/iumj.2016.65.5829}, pages = {977 -- 1088}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The present paper is intended to provide the basis for the study of weakly differentiable functions on rectifiable varifolds with locally bounded first variation. The concept proposed here is defined by means of integration-by-parts identities for certain compositions with smooth functions. In this class, the idea of zero boundary values is realised using the relative perimeter of superlevel sets. Results include a variety of Sobolev Poincare-type embeddings, embeddings into spaces of continuous and sometimes Holder-continuous functions, and point wise differentiability results both of approximate and integral type as well as coarea formulae. As a prerequisite for this study, decomposition properties of such varifolds and a relative isoperimetric inequality are established. Both involve a concept of distributional boundary of a set introduced for this purpose. As applications, the finiteness of the geodesic distance associated with varifolds with suitable summability of the mean curvature and a characterisation of curvature varifolds are obtained.}, language = {en} } @article{KretschmerCoumouDongesetal.2016, author = {Kretschmer, Marlene and Coumou, Dim and Donges, Jonathan Friedemann and Runge, Jakob}, title = {Using Causal Effect Networks to Analyze Different Arctic Drivers of Midlatitude Winter Circulation}, series = {Journal of climate}, volume = {29}, journal = {Journal of climate}, publisher = {American Meteorological Soc.}, address = {Boston}, issn = {0894-8755}, doi = {10.1175/JCLI-D-15-0654.1}, pages = {4069 -- 4081}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In recent years, the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes have suffered from severe winters like the extreme 2012/13 winter in the eastern United States. These cold spells were linked to a meandering upper-tropospheric jet stream pattern and a negative Arctic Oscillation index (AO). However, the nature of the drivers behind these circulation patterns remains controversial. Various studies have proposed different mechanisms related to changes in the Arctic, most of them related to a reduction in sea ice concentrations or increasing Eurasian snow cover. Here, a novel type of time series analysis, called causal effect networks (CEN), based on graphical models is introduced to assess causal relationships and their time delays between different processes. The effect of different Arctic actors on winter circulation on weekly to monthly time scales is studied, and robust network patterns are found. Barents and Kara sea ice concentrations are detected to be important external drivers of the midlatitude circulation, influencing winter AO via tropospheric mechanisms and through processes involving the stratosphere. Eurasia snow cover is also detected to have a causal effect on sea level pressure in Asia, but its exact role on AO remains unclear. The CEN approach presented in this study overcomes some difficulties in interpreting correlation analyses, complements model experiments for testing hypotheses involving teleconnections, and can be used to assess their validity. The findings confirm that sea ice concentrations in autumn in the Barents and Kara Seas are an important driver of winter circulation in the midlatitudes.}, language = {en} } @article{AcevedoReichCubasch2016, author = {Acevedo, Walter and Reich, Sebastian and Cubasch, Ulrich}, title = {Towards the assimilation of tree-ring-width records using ensemble Kalman filtering techniques}, series = {Climate dynamics : observational, theoretical and computational research on the climate system}, volume = {46}, journal = {Climate dynamics : observational, theoretical and computational research on the climate system}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0930-7575}, doi = {10.1007/s00382-015-2683-1}, pages = {1909 -- 1920}, year = {2016}, abstract = {This paper investigates the applicability of the Vaganov-Shashkin-Lite (VSL) forward model for tree-ring-width chronologies as observation operator within a proxy data assimilation (DA) setting. Based on the principle of limiting factors, VSL combines temperature and moisture time series in a nonlinear fashion to obtain simulated TRW chronologies. When used as observation operator, this modelling approach implies three compounding, challenging features: (1) time averaging, (2) "switching recording" of 2 variables and (3) bounded response windows leading to "thresholded response". We generate pseudo-TRW observations from a chaotic 2-scale dynamical system, used as a cartoon of the atmosphere-land system, and attempt to assimilate them via ensemble Kalman filtering techniques. Results within our simplified setting reveal that VSL's nonlinearities may lead to considerable loss of assimilation skill, as compared to the utilization of a time-averaged (TA) linear observation operator. In order to understand this undesired effect, we embed VSL's formulation into the framework of fuzzy logic (FL) theory, which thereby exposes multiple representations of the principle of limiting factors. DA experiments employing three alternative growth rate functions disclose a strong link between the lack of smoothness of the growth rate function and the loss of optimality in the estimate of the TA state. Accordingly, VSL's performance as observation operator can be enhanced by resorting to smoother FL representations of the principle of limiting factors. This finding fosters new interpretations of tree-ring-growth limitation processes.}, language = {en} } @article{StolleMichaelisRauberg2016, author = {Stolle, Claudia and Michaelis, Ingo and Rauberg, Jan}, title = {The role of high-resolution geomagnetic field models for investigating ionospheric currents at low Earth orbit satellites}, series = {Earth, planets and space}, volume = {68}, journal = {Earth, planets and space}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1880-5981}, doi = {10.1186/s40623-016-0494-1}, pages = {10}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Low Earth orbiting geomagnetic satellite missions, such as the Swarm satellite mission, are the only means to monitor and investigate ionospheric currents on a global scale and to make in situ measurements of F region currents. High-precision geomagnetic satellite missions are also able to detect ionospheric currents during quiet-time geomagnetic conditions that only have few nanotesla amplitudes in the magnetic field. An efficient method to isolate the ionospheric signals from satellite magnetic field measurements has been the use of residuals between the observations and predictions from empirical geomagnetic models for other geomagnetic sources, such as the core and lithospheric field or signals from the quiet-time magnetospheric currents. This study aims at highlighting the importance of high-resolution magnetic field models that are able to predict the lithospheric field and that consider the quiet-time magnetosphere for reliably isolating signatures from ionospheric currents during geomagnetically quiet times. The effects on the detection of ionospheric currents arising from neglecting the lithospheric and magnetospheric sources are discussed on the example of four Swarm orbits during very quiet times. The respective orbits show a broad range of typical scenarios, such as strong and weak ionospheric signal (during day- and nighttime, respectively) superimposed over strong and weak lithospheric signals. If predictions from the lithosphere or magnetosphere are not properly considered, the amplitude of the ionospheric currents, such as the midlatitude Sq currents or the equatorial electrojet (EEJ), is modulated by 10-15 \% in the examples shown. An analysis from several orbits above the African sector, where the lithospheric field is significant, showed that the peak value of the signatures of the EEJ is in error by 5 \% in average when lithospheric contributions are not considered, which is in the range of uncertainties of present empirical models of the EEJ.}, language = {en} } @article{Denecke2016, author = {Denecke, Klaus-Dieter}, title = {The partial clone of linear terms}, series = {Siberian Mathematical Journal}, volume = {57}, journal = {Siberian Mathematical Journal}, publisher = {Pleiades Publ.}, address = {New York}, issn = {0037-4466}, doi = {10.1134/S0037446616040030}, pages = {589 -- 598}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Generalizing a linear expression over a vector space, we call a term of an arbitrary type tau linear if its every variable occurs only once. Instead of the usual superposition of terms and of the total many-sorted clone of all terms in the case of linear terms, we define the partial many-sorted superposition operation and the partial many-sorted clone that satisfies the superassociative law as weak identity. The extensions of linear hypersubstitutions are weak endomorphisms of this partial clone. For a variety V of one-sorted total algebras of type tau, we define the partial many-sorted linear clone of V as the partial quotient algebra of the partial many-sorted clone of all linear terms by the set of all linear identities of V. We prove then that weak identities of this clone correspond to linear hyperidentities of V.}, language = {en} } @article{ZoellerHolschneider2016, author = {Z{\"o}ller, Gert and Holschneider, Matthias}, title = {The Maximum Possible and the Maximum Expected Earthquake Magnitude for Production-Induced Earthquakes at the Gas Field in Groningen, The Netherlands}, series = {Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America}, volume = {106}, journal = {Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America}, publisher = {Seismological Society of America}, address = {Albany}, issn = {0037-1106}, doi = {10.1785/0120160220}, pages = {2917 -- 2921}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The Groningen gas field serves as a natural laboratory for production-induced earthquakes, because no earthquakes were observed before the beginning of gas production. Increasing gas production rates resulted in growing earthquake activity and eventually in the occurrence of the 2012M(w) 3.6 Huizinge earthquake. At least since this event, a detailed seismic hazard and risk assessment including estimation of the maximum earthquake magnitude is considered to be necessary to decide on the future gas production. In this short note, we first apply state-of-the-art methods of mathematical statistics to derive confidence intervals for the maximum possible earthquake magnitude m(max). Second, we calculate the maximum expected magnitude M-T in the time between 2016 and 2024 for three assumed gas-production scenarios. Using broadly accepted physical assumptions and 90\% confidence level, we suggest a value of m(max) 4.4, whereas M-T varies between 3.9 and 4.3, depending on the production scenario.}, language = {en} } @article{KistnerBurnsVollmeyeretal.2016, author = {Kistner, Saskia and Burns, Bruce D. and Vollmeyer, Regina and Kortenkamp, Ulrich}, title = {The importance of understanding: Model space moderates goal specificity effects}, series = {The quarterly journal of experimental psychology}, volume = {69}, journal = {The quarterly journal of experimental psychology}, publisher = {Optical Society of America}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1747-0218}, doi = {10.1080/17470218.2015.1076865}, pages = {1179 -- 1196}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The three-space theory of problem solving predicts that the quality of a learner's model and the goal specificity of a task interact on knowledge acquisition. In Experiment 1 participants used a computer simulation of a lever system to learn about torques. They either had to test hypotheses (nonspecific goal), or to produce given values for variables (specific goal). In the good- but not in the poor-model condition they saw torque depicted as an area. Results revealed the predicted interaction. A nonspecific goal only resulted in better learning when a good model of torques was provided. In Experiment 2 participants learned to manipulate the inputs of a system to control its outputs. A nonspecific goal to explore the system helped performance when compared to a specific goal to reach certain values when participants were given a good model, but not when given a poor model that suggested the wrong hypothesis space. Our findings support the three-space theory. They emphasize the importance of understanding for problem solving and stress the need to study underlying processes.}, language = {en} } @article{ZoellerHolschneider2016, author = {Z{\"o}ller, Gert and Holschneider, Matthias}, title = {The Earthquake History in a Fault Zone Tells Us Almost Nothing about m(max)}, series = {Seismological research letters}, volume = {87}, journal = {Seismological research letters}, publisher = {Seismological Society of America}, address = {Albany}, issn = {0895-0695}, doi = {10.1785/0220150176}, pages = {132 -- 137}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In the present study, we summarize and evaluate the endeavors from recent years to estimate the maximum possible earthquake magnitude m(max) from observed data. In particular, we use basic and physically motivated assumptions to identify best cases and worst cases in terms of lowest and highest degree of uncertainty of m(max). In a general framework, we demonstrate that earthquake data and earthquake proxy data recorded in a fault zone provide almost no information about m(max) unless reliable and homogeneous data of a long time interval, including several earthquakes with magnitude close to m(max), are available. Even if detailed earthquake information from some centuries including historic and paleoearthquakes are given, only very few, namely the largest events, will contribute at all to the estimation of m(max), and this results in unacceptably high uncertainties. As a consequence, estimators of m(max) in a fault zone, which are based solely on earthquake-related information from this region, have to be dismissed.}, language = {en} } @article{LevyJimenezPaycha2016, author = {Levy, Cyril and Jimenez, Carolina Neira and Paycha, Sylvie}, title = {THE CANONICAL TRACE AND THE NONCOMMUTATIVE RESIDUE ON THE NONCOMMUTATIVE TORUS}, series = {Transactions of the American Mathematical Society}, volume = {368}, journal = {Transactions of the American Mathematical Society}, publisher = {American Mathematical Soc.}, address = {Providence}, issn = {0002-9947}, doi = {10.1090/tran/6369}, pages = {1051 -- 1095}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Using a global symbol calculus for pseudodifferential operators on tori, we build a canonical trace on classical pseudodifferential operators on noncommutative tori in terms of a canonical discrete sum on the underlying toroidal symbols. We characterise the canonical trace on operators on the noncommutative torus as well as its underlying canonical discrete sum on symbols of fixed (resp. any) noninteger order. On the grounds of this uniqueness result, we prove that in the commutative setup, this canonical trace on the noncommutative torus reduces to Kontsevich and Vishik's canonical trace which is thereby identified with a discrete sum. A similar characterisation for the noncommutative residue on noncommutative tori as the unique trace which vanishes on trace-class operators generalises Fathizadeh and Wong's characterisation in so far as it includes the case of operators of fixed integer order. By means of the canonical trace, we derive defect formulae for regularized traces. The conformal invariance of the \$ \zeta \$-function at zero of the Laplacian on the noncommutative torus is then a straightforward consequence.}, language = {en} } @article{HackHanischSchenkel2016, author = {Hack, Thomas-Paul and Hanisch, Florian and Schenkel, Alexander}, title = {Supergeometry in Locally Covariant Quantum Field Theory}, series = {Communications in mathematical physics}, volume = {342}, journal = {Communications in mathematical physics}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0010-3616}, doi = {10.1007/s00220-015-2516-4}, pages = {615 -- 673}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In this paper we analyze supergeometric locally covariant quantum field theories. We develop suitable categories SLoc of super-Cartan supermanifolds, which generalize Lorentz manifolds in ordinary quantum field theory, and show that, starting from a few representation theoretic and geometric data, one can construct a functor U : SLoc -> S*Alg to the category of super-*-algebras, which can be interpreted as a non-interacting super-quantum field theory. This construction turns out to disregard supersymmetry transformations as the morphism sets in the above categories are too small. We then solve this problem by using techniques from enriched category theory, which allows us to replace the morphism sets by suitable morphism supersets that contain supersymmetry transformations as their higher superpoints. We construct superquantum field theories in terms of enriched functors eU : eSLoc -> eS*Alg between the enriched categories and show that supersymmetry transformations are appropriately described within the enriched framework. As examples we analyze the superparticle in 1 vertical bar 1-dimensions and the free Wess-Zumino model in 3 vertical bar 2-dimensions.}, language = {en} }