We present microlensing events in the 2015 Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet) data and our procedure for identifying these events. In particular, candidates were detected with a novel "completed event" microlensing event-finder algorithm. The algorithm works by making linear fits to a (t 0 , t eff , u 0 ) grid of point-lens microlensing models. This approach is rendered computationally efficient by restricting u 0 to just two values (0 and 1), which we show is quite adequate. The implementation presented here is specifically tailored to the commission-year character of the 2015 data, but the algorithm is quite general and has already been applied to a completely different (non-KMTNet) data set. We outline expected improvements for 2016 and future KMTNet data. The light curves of the 660 "clear microlensing" and 182 "possible microlensing" events that were found in 2015 are presented along with our policy for their public release.

During the last decade, theory and experiments have provided clear evidence that specific helical patterns of charged groups and adsorbed (condensed) counterions on the DNA surface are responsible for many important features of DNA-DNA interactions in hydrated aggregates. The effects of helical structure on DNA-DNA interactions result from a preferential juxtaposition of the negatively charged sugar phosphate backbone with counterions bound within the grooves of the opposing molecule. Analysis of x-ray diffraction experiments confirmed the mutual alignment of parallel molecules in hydrated aggregates required for such juxtaposition. However, it remained unclear how this alignment and molecular interactions might be affected by intrinsic and thermal fluctuations, which cause structural deviations away from an ideal double helical conformation. We previously argued that the torsional flexibility of DNA allows the molecules to adapt their structure to accommodate a more electrostatically favorable alignment between molecules, partially compensating disruptive fluctuation effects. In the present work, we develop a more comprehensive theory, incorporating also stretching and bending fluctuations of DNA. We found the effects of stretching to be qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those of twisting fluctuations. However, this theory predicts more dramatic and surprising effects of bending. Undulations of DNA in hydrated aggregates strongly amplify rather than weaken the helical structure effects. They enhance the structural adaptation, leading to better alignment of neighboring molecules and pushing the geometry of the DNA backbone closer to that of an ideal helix. These predictions are supported by a quantitative comparison of the calculated and measured osmotic pressures in DNA.