Neutrino oscillation probabilities through the looking glass

In this paper we review different expansions for neutrino oscillation probabilities in matter in the context of long-baseline neutrino experiments. We examine the accuracy and computational efficiency of different exact and approximate expressions. We find that many of the expressions used in the literature are not precise enough for the next generation of long-baseline experiments, but several of them are while maintaining comparable simplicity. The results of this paper can be used as guidance to both phenomenologists and experimentalists when implementing the various oscillation expressions into their analysis tools.Comment: 32 pages, 6 figure

Exploring the phase diagram of the two-impurity Kondo problem

A system of two exchange-coupled Kondo impurities in a magnetic field gives rise to a rich phase space hosting a multitude of correlated phenomena. Magnetic atoms on surfaces probed through scanning tunnelling microscopy provide an excellent platform to investigate coupled impurities, but typical high Kondo temperatures prevent field-dependent studies from being performed, rendering large parts of the phase space inaccessible. We present an integral study of pairs of Co atoms on insulating Cu2N/Cu(100), which each have a Kondo temperature of only 2.6 K. In order to cover the different regions of the phase space, the pairs are designed to have interaction strengths similar to the Kondo temperature. By applying a sufficiently strong magnetic field, we are able to access a new phase in which the two coupled impurities are simultaneously screened. Comparison of differential conductance spectra taken on the atoms to simulated curves, calculated using a third order transport model, allows us to independently determine the degree of Kondo screening in each phase.Comment: paper: 14 pages, 4 figures; supplementary: 3 pages, 1 figure, 1 tabl

Water diffusion in rough carbon nanotubes

We use molecular dynamics simulations to study the diffusion of water inside deformed carbon nanotubes with different degrees of deformation at 300 K. We found that the number of hydrogen bonds that water forms depends on nanotube topology, leading to enhancement or suppression of water diffusion. The simulation results reveal that more realistic nanotubes should be considered to understand the confined water diffusion behavior, at least for the narrowest nanotubes, when the interaction between water molecules and carbon atoms is relevant.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figure

The Impact of Second Step Implementation on Students’ Social-Emotional Skills in an Elementary School Setting

A positive classroom and a positive school environment are needed to best support students, especially those students with major behavioral concerns. The implementation of the Second Step curriculum is one way to support positive student behavior. This study examined the impact of Second Step implementation methods on students’ emotion management skills. Peer-to-peer, small-group teacher intervention, and whole-group implementation groups in kindergarten and fifth-grade classrooms were studied. Data collection methods included observational checklists, a district created formative assessment, and pre- and post-tests created by the Second Step curriculum. The data collected indicated that many students had an accurate understanding of social-emotional learning skills, but they did not implement emotion-management skills consistently. However, students participating in peer-to-peer emotion management teaching were more self-aware and applied emotion management skills more frequently when compared to students receiving small-group and whole-group instruction. Based on these results, peer-to-peer instruction methods are recommended to strengthen Second Step emotion management skill instruction and student self-awareness

Controlling Thin Film Morphology Formation during Gas Quenching of Slot-Die Coated Perovskite Solar Modules

Transferring record power conversion efficiency (PCE) >25 % of spin-coated perovskite solar cells (PSCs) from the laboratory scale to large-area photovoltaic modules requires significant advance in scalable fabrication techniques. In this work, we demonstrate the fundamental interrelation between drying dynamics of slot-die coated precursor solution thin films and the quality of slot-die coated gas quenched polycrystalline perovskite thin films. Well defined drying conditions are established using a temperature-stabilized, movable table and a flow-controlled, oblique impinging slot nozzle purged with nitrogen. The accurately deposited solution thin film on the substrate is recorded by a tilted CCD camera, allowing for in situ monitoring of the perovskite thin film formation. With the tracking of crystallization dynamics during the drying process, we identify critical process parameters needed for the design of optimal drying and gas quenching systems. In addition, defining different drying regimes, we derive practical slot jet adjustments preventing gas backflow and demonstrate large-area, homogeneous and pinhole-free slot-die coated perovskite thin films that result in solar cells with PCEs of up to 18.6 %. Our study reveals key interrelations of process parameters, e.g. the gas flow and drying velocity, and the exact crystallization position with the morphology formation of fabricated thin films, resulting in a homogeneous performance of corresponding solar 50x50 mm2 mini-modules (17.2 %) with only minimal upscaling loss. In addition, we validate a previously developed model on the drying dynamics of perovskite thin films on small-area for slot-die coated areas of ≥100 cm2. The study provides methodical guidelines for the design of future slot-die coating setups and establishes a step forward to a successful transfer of industrial-scale deposition systems beyond brute force optimization

Uso do R-shiny para execução de modelos matemáticos via web: estudo de caso sobre a dinâmica de propagação do HLB do citros.

RESUMO - O Huanglongbing (HLB ou Greening) é a doença mais importante e destrutiva da citricultura mundial. Presente de forma endêmica nos continentes asiático e africano há várias décadas, essa doença foi constatada no Brasil em 2004, sendo transmitida pelo psilídeo Diaphorina citri e causada por bactérias de floema Candidatus Liberibacter spp. Para auxiliar o estudo da doença, foram desenvolvidos modelos matemáticos para avaliação da propagação do HLB Citros. Este trabalho tem por objetivo a criação de um sistema para execução via web de um destes modelos, permitindo aos profissionais de diversas formações, em especial os das áreas biológicas, que são os especialistas do domínio em estudo, acesso rápido aos resultados fornecidos pelo modelo matemático, eliminando ainda a necessidade de conhecimento prévio em alguma linguagem de programação ou de métodos de resolução de equações diferenciais. O sistema foi completamente implementado em R, tendo sido o pacote deSolve usado para solução do modelo matemático e o framework web Shiny para a interface com usuário, sendo todos open source.CIIC 2016. No 16601

Analyses to Verify and Improve the Accuracy of the Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA)

A series of analyses were performed to determine the reasons that the Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA) over predicted space-heating energy savings as measured in a recent field test and to develop appropriate corrections to improve its performance. The study used the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Building Energy Simulation Test (BESTEST) to verify that MHEA accurately calculates the UA-values of mobile home envelope components and space-heating energy loads as compared with other, well-accepted hourly energy simulation programs. The study also used the Procedures for Verification of RESNET Accredited HERS Software Tools to determine that MHEA accurately calculates space-heating energy consumptions for gas furnaces, heat pumps, and electric-resistance furnaces. Even though MHEA's calculations were shown to be correct from an engineering point of view, three modifications to MHEA's algorithms and use of a 0.6 correction factor were incorporated into MHEA to true-up its predicted savings to values measured in a recent field test. A simulated use of the revised version of MHEA in a weatherization program revealed that MHEA would likely still recommend a significant number of cost-effective weatherization measures in mobile homes (including ceiling, floor, and even wall insulation and far fewer storm windows). Based on the findings from this study, it was recommended that a revised version of MHEA with all the changes and modifications outlined in this report should be finalized and made available to the weatherization community as soon as possible, preferably in time for use within the 2009 Program Year

Disseminando a aplicação do R-Shiny em métodos quantitativos e computação científica na web.

Neste trabalho é apresentada uma alternativa para a disseminação via web de aplicações que envolvem técnicas de métodos quantitativos e computação científica, a ser usada por profissionais que não estão completamente familiarizados com linguagens de programação em seu cotidiano. Para tal, utilizando o software R e o pacote Shiny, ambas ferramentas open source, foi criada uma aplicação web para mostrar os resultados obtidos na avaliação da dinâmica de propagação da Anemia Infecciosa Equina (AIE), expressa por um sistema de equações diferenciais ordinárias previamente desenvolvidas. A aplicação web ofereceu melhor interação e maior facilidade no manuseio e na interpretação do modelo determinístico por profissionais de diversas formações, em especial os das áreas biológicas, que são os especialistas do domínio em estudo, quando comparado ao formato tradicional, baseado no uso de linguagens de programação clássicas

Aerial low-frequency hearing in captive and free-ranging harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) measured using auditory brainstem responses

The hearing sensitivity of 18 free-ranging and 10 captive harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) to aerial sounds was measured in the presence of typical environmental noise through auditory brainstem response measurements. A focus was put on the comparative hearing sensitivity at low frequencies. Low- and mid-frequency thresholds appeared to be elevated in both captive and free-ranging seals, but this is likely due to masking effects and limitations of the methodology used. The data also showed individual variability in hearing sensitivity with probable age-related hearing loss found in two old harbour seals. These results suggest that the acoustic sensitivity of free-ranging animals was not negatively affected by the soundscape they experienced in the wild

Fluoxetine effects assessment on the life cycle of aquatic invertebrates

International audienceFluoxetine is a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, generally used as an antidepressant. It is suspected to provoke substantial effects in the aquatic environment. This study reports the effects of fluoxetine on the life cycle of four invertebrate species, Daphnia magna, Hyalella azteca and the snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum exposed to fluoxetine spiked-water and the midge Chironomus riparius exposed to fluoxetine-spiked sediments. For D. magna, a multi-generational study was performed with exposition of newborns from exposed organisms. Effects of fluoxetine could be found at low measured concentrations (around 10 micro g l(-1)), especially for parthenogenetic reproduction of D. magna and P. antipodarum. For daphnids, newborns length was impacted by fluoxetine and the second generation of exposed individuals showed much more pronounced effects than the first one, with a NOEC of 8.9 micro g l(-1). For P. antipodarum, significant decrease of reproduction was found for concentrations around 10 micro g l(-1). In contrast, we found no effect on the reproduction of H. azteca but a significant effect on growth, which resulted in a NOEC of 33 micro g l(-1), expressed in nominal concentration. No effect on C. riparius could be found for measured concentrations up to 59.5 mg kg(-1). General mechanistic energy-based models showed poor relevance for data analysis, which suggests that fluoxetine targets specific mechanisms of reproduction