Transport on weighted Networks: when correlations are independent of degree

Most real-world networks are weighted graphs with the weight of the edges reflecting the relative importance of the connections. In this work, we study non degree dependent correlations between edge weights, generalizing thus the correlations beyond the degree dependent case. We propose a simple method to introduce weight-weight correlations in topologically uncorrelated graphs. This allows us to test different measures to discriminate between the different correlation types and to quantify their intensity. We also discuss here the effect of weight correlations on the transport properties of the networks, showing that positive correlations dramatically improve transport. Finally, we give two examples of real-world networks (social and transport graphs) in which weight-weight correlations are present.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure

Demise of CKM & its aftermath

Using firmly established experimental inputs such as epsilon_K, Delta M_d, Delta M_s, BR(B -> tau nu), gamma, V_cb along with corresponding lattice matrix elements which have been well studied and are in full QCD such as B_K, SU3 breaking ratio xi, B_Bs and in particular without using V_ub or the pseudoscalar decay constants f_Bd or f_Bs from the latice, we show that the CKM-paradigm now appears to be in serious conflict with the data. Specifically the SM predicted value of sin(2 beta) seems too high compared to direct experimental measured value by over 3 sigma. Furthermore, our studiy shows that new physics predominantly effects B-mixings and B_d -> psi K_s, and not primarily in kaon-mixing or in B -> tau nu. Model independent operator analysis suggests the scale of underlying new physics, accompanied by a BSM CP-odd phase, responsible for breaking of the SM is less than a few TeV, possibly as low as a few hundred GeV. Two possible BSM scenarios, namely warped extra-dimensions and SM with a 4th generation, are briefly discussed. Generic predictions of warped flavor models are briefly discussed. While SM with 4th generation (SM4) is a very simple way to account for the observed anomalies, SM4 is also well motivated due to its potential role in dynamical electrweak symmetery breaking via condensation of heavy quarks and in barygenesis.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, talk given at Moriond EW 2011, corrected typos in Fig.6 label

An updated analysis of radion-higgs mixing in the light of LHC data

We explore the constraints on the parameter space of a Randall-Sundrum warped geometry scenario, where a radion field arises out of the attempt to stabilise the radius of the extra compact spacelike dimension, using the most recent data from higgs searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the Tevatron. We calculate contributions from both the scalar mass eigenstates arising from radion-higgs kinetic mixing in all important search channels. The most important channel to be affected is the decay via WW*, where no invariant mass peak can discern the two distinct physical states. Improving upon the previous studies, we perform a full analysis in the WW* channel, taking into account the effect of various cuts and interference when the two scalar are closely spaced. We examine both cases where the experimentally discovered scalar is either 'higgs-like' or 'radion-like'. The implications of a relatively massive scalar decaying into a pair of 125 GeV scalars is also included. Based on a global analysis of the current data, including not only a single 125 GeV scalar but also another one with mass over the range 110 to 600 GeV, we obtain the up-to-date exclusion contours in the parameter space. Side by side, regions agreeing with the data within 68% and 95% confidence level based on a \chi^2-minimisation procedure, are also presented

Interdisciplinarity and research on local issues: evidence from a developing country

This paper explores the relationship between interdisciplinarity and research pertaining to local issues. Using Colombian publications from 1991 until 2011 in the Web of Science, we investigate the relationship between the degree of interdisciplinarity and the local orientation of the articles. We find that a higher degree of interdisciplinarity in a publication is associated with a greater emphasis on Colombian issues. In particular, our results suggest that research that combines cognitively disparate disciplines, what we refer to as distal interdisciplinarity, tends to be associated with more local focus of research. We discuss the implications of these results in the context of policies aiming to foster the local socio-economic impact of research in developing countries.Comment: 24 page

The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research: A New Paradigm for Battery Research and Development

The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR) seeks transformational change in transportation and the electricity grid driven by next generation high performance, low cost electricity storage. To pursue this transformative vision JCESR introduces a new paradigm for battery research: integrating discovery science, battery design, research prototyping and manufacturing collaboration in a single highly interactive organization. This new paradigm will accelerate the pace of discovery and innovation and reduce the time from conceptualization to commercialization. JCESR applies its new paradigm exclusively to beyond-lithium-ion batteries, a vast, rich and largely unexplored frontier. This review presents JCESR's motivation, vision, mission, intended outcomes or legacies and first year accomplishments.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, 96 reference

The Cosmological Energy Density of Neutrinos from Oscillation Measurements

The emerging structure of the neutrino mass matrix, when combined with the primordial element abundances, places the most stringent constraint on the flavor asymmetries in the cosmological neutrino background and therefore its energy density. I review the mechanism of synchronized neutrino oscillations in the an early universe with degenerate (asymmetric) neutrino and antineutrino densities and the implications of refined measurements of neutrino parameters.Comment: 4 pages, Proceedings of NuFact 03, 5th International Workshop on Neutrino Factories & Superbeams, 5-11 June 2003, Columbia University, New Yor

First Light LBT AO Images of HR 8799 bcde at 1.65 and 3.3 Microns: New Discrepancies between Young Planets and Old Brown Dwarfs

As the only directly imaged multiple planet system, HR 8799 provides a unique opportunity to study the physical properties of several planets in parallel. In this paper, we image all four of the HR 8799 planets at H-band and 3.3 microns with the new LBT adaptive optics system, PISCES, and LBTI/LMIRCam. Our images offer an unprecedented view of the system, allowing us to obtain H and 3.3$ micron photometry of the innermost planet (for the first time) and put strong upper-limits on the presence of a hypothetical fifth companion. We find that all four planets are unexpectedly bright at 3.3 microns compared to the equilibrium chemistry models used for field brown dwarfs, which predict that planets should be faint at 3.3 microns due to CH4 opacity. We attempt to model the planets with thick-cloudy, non-equilibrium chemistry atmospheres, but find that removing CH4 to fit the 3.3 micron photometry increases the predicted L' (3.8 microns) flux enough that it is inconsistent with observations. In an effort to fit the SED of the HR 8799 planets, we construct mixtures of cloudy atmospheres, which are intended to represent planets covered by clouds of varying opacity. In this scenario, regions with low opacity look hot and bright, while regions with high opacity look faint, similar to the patchy cloud structures on Jupiter and L/T transition brown-dwarfs. Our mixed cloud models reproduce all of the available data, but self-consistent models are still necessary to demonstrate their viability.Comment: Accepted to Ap

Assessing the impact of participatory research in rice breeding on poor rice farming households with emphasis on women farmers: a case study in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

For the past years since the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Systemwide Initiative on Participatory Research and Gender Analysis (PRGA) was initiated, guides for impact assessment of PRGA have been developed (Lilja and Ashby 1999; Johnson et.al., 2000; Lilja and Johnson 2001). However, according to Farnworth and Jiggins (2003) while there is rapidly growing literature on the impacts of PPB on farmers, this is not further differentiated by sex. Despite the immense literature on the impacts of production, post production technologies on women farmers, systematic studies on the impacts of PPB on women in any category, either in terms of the effects of being a participant in a participatory plant breeding process (PPB) process, or in terms of the impact of the new materials generated is few. There is practically no literature that examines the effects of PPB – either as process or in terms of the impacts of the emergent materials – on gender relations at the household, community or any other relevant social or geographic scale along the food chain. Even with women’s active involvement in rice production, post harvest and seed management, scientists who are mostly male often talk with the male farmers only. Ignoring women’s knowledge and preference for rice varieties may be an obstacle to adoption of improved varieties, particularly in areas with gender-specific tasks, and in farm activities where women have considerable influence. Feldstein (1996) cited three different ways in which gender analysis can be considered in participatory research. These are: the efficiency argument, equity oriented, and empowerment. This study attempts to fill in these research gaps. The objectives of this paper are to: a) discuss the process used in integrating participatory research and gender analysis in breeding for drought prone and submergence prone environment; b) assess how gender analysis contributed to the design and implementation of the research and development outcomes; c) assess the impacts of PVS on poor women farmers, particularly on women’s empowerment; and d) recommend strategies to further enhance women’s roles in ensuring household food (rice) food security and improving their social status within the household and the community