Constraints on θ_(13) from a three-flavor oscillation analysis of reactor antineutrinos at KamLAND

We present new constraints on the neutrino oscillation parameters Δm^2_(21), θ_(12), and θ_(13) from a three flavor analysis of solar and KamLAND data. The KamLAND data set includes data acquired following a radiopurity upgrade and amounts to a total exposure of 3.49 x 10^(32) target-proton-year. Under the assumption of CPT invariance, a two-flavor analysis (θ_(13) = 0) of the KamLAND and solar data yields the best-fit values tan^2θ_(12) = 0.444^(+0.036)_(-0.030) and Δm^2_(21) = 7.50^(+0.19)_(-0.20) x 10^(-5) eV^2; a three-flavor analysis with θ13 as a free parameter yields the best-fit values tan^2θ_(12) = 0.452^(+0.035)_(-0.033), Δm^2_(21) = 7.50^(+0.19)_(-0.20) x 10^(-5) eV^2, and sin^2θ_(13) = 0.020^(+0.016)_(-0.016). This θ_(13) interval is consistent with other recent work combining the CHOOZ, atmospheric and long-baseline accelerator experiments. We also present a new global θ_(13) analysis, incorporating the CHOOZ, atmospheric, and accelerator data, which indicates sin^2θ_(13) = 0.009^(+0.013)-_(0.007). A nonzero value is suggested, but only at the 79% C.L

Measurement of the ^8B solar neutrino flux with the KamLAND liquid scintillator detector

We report a measurement of the neutrino-electron elastic scattering rate from ^8B solar neutrinos based on a 123 kton-day exposure of KamLAND. The background-subtracted electron recoil rate, above a 5.5-MeV analysis threshold is 1.49 ± 0.14(stat) ± 0.17(syst) events per kton-day. Interpreted as due to a pure electron flavor flux with a ^8B neutrino spectrum, this corresponds to a spectrum integrated flux of 2.77 ± 0.26(stat) ± 0.32(syst) ×10^6 cm^(−2_s^(−1). The analysis threshold is driven by ^(208)Tl present in the liquid scintillator, and the main source of systematic uncertainty is due to background from cosmogenic ^(11)Be. The measured rate is consistent with existing measurements and with standard solar model predictions which include matter-enhanced neutrino oscillation

Partial radiogenic heat model for Earth revealed by geoneutrino measurements

The Earth has cooled since its formation, yet the decay of radiogenic isotopes, and in particular uranium, thorium and potassium, in the planet’s interior provides a continuing heat source. The current total heat flux from the Earth to space is 44:2±1.0 TW, but the relative contributions from residual primordial heat and radiogenic decay remain uncertain. However, radiogenic decay can be estimated from the flux of geoneutrinos, electrically neutral particles that are emitted during radioactive decay and can pass through the Earth virtually unaffected. Here we combine precise measurements of the geoneutrino flux from the Kamioka Liquid-Scintillator Antineutrino Detector, Japan, with existing measurements from the Borexino detector, Italy.We find that decay of uranium-238 and thorium-232 together contribute 20.0^(+8.8)_(-8.6)TW to Earth’s heat flux. The neutrinos emitted from the decay of potassium-40 are below the limits of detection in our experiments, but are known to contribute 4TW. Taken together, our observations indicate that heat from radioactive decay contributes about half of Earth’s total heat flux. We therefore conclude that Earth’s primordial heat supply has not yet been exhausted

Production of radioactive isotopes through cosmic muon spallation in KamLAND

Radioactive isotopes produced through cosmic muon spallation are a background for rare-event detection in ν detectors, double-β-decay experiments, and dark-matter searches. Understanding the nature of cosmogenic backgrounds is particularly important for future experiments aiming to determine the pep and CNO solar neutrino fluxes, for which the background is dominated by the spallation production of ^(11)C. Data from the Kamioka liquid-scintillator antineutrino detector (KamLAND) provides valuable information for better understanding these backgrounds, especially in liquid scintillators, and for checking estimates from current simulations based upon MUSIC, FLUKA, and GEANT4. Using the time correlation between detected muons and neutron captures, the neutron production yield in the KamLAND liquid scintillator is measured to be Y_n=(2.8±0.3)×10^(-4) μ^(-1) g^(-1) cm^2. For other isotopes, the production yield is determined from the observed time correlation related to known isotope lifetimes. We find some yields are inconsistent with extrapolations based on an accelerator muon beam experiment

Mass Hierarchy Resolution in Reactor Anti-neutrino Experiments: Parameter Degeneracies and Detector Energy Response

Determination of the neutrino mass hierarchy using a reactor neutrino experiment at $\sim$60 km is analyzed. Such a measurement is challenging due to the finite detector resolution, the absolute energy scale calibration, as well as the degeneracies caused by current experimental uncertainty of $|\Delta m^2_{32}|$. The standard $\chi^2$ method is compared with a proposed Fourier transformation method. In addition, we show that for such a measurement to succeed, one must understand the non-linearity of the detector energy scale at the level of a few tenths of percent.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, accepted by PR

Statistical interaction modeling of bovine herd behaviors

While there has been interest in modeling the group behavior of herds or flocks, much of this work has focused on simulating their collective spatial motion patterns which have not accounted for individuality in the herd and instead assume a homogenized role for all members or sub-groups of the herd. Animal behavior experts have noted that domestic animals exhibit behaviors that are indicative of social hierarchy: leader/follower type behaviors are present as well as dominance and subordination, aggression and rank order, and specific social affiliations may also exist. Both wild and domestic cattle are social species, and group behaviors are likely to be influenced by the expression of specific social interactions. In this paper, Global Positioning System coordinate fixes gathered from a herd of beef cows tracked in open fields over several days at a time are utilized to learn a model that focuses on the interactions within the herd as well as its overall movement. Using these data in this way explores the validity of existing group behavior models against actual herding behaviors. Domain knowledge, location geography and human observations, are utilized to explain the causes of these deviations from this idealized behavior

Microwave-assisted synthesis of 3-aminobenzo[b]thiophene scaffolds for the preparation of kinase inhibitors

Microwave irradiation of 2-halobenzonitriles and methyl thioglycolate in the presence of triethylamine in DMSO at 130 °C provides rapid access to 3-aminobenzo[b]thiophenes in 58–96% yield. This transformation has been applied in the synthesis of the thieno[2,3-b]pyridine core motif of LIMK1 inhibitors, the benzo[4,5]thieno[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-5(2H)-one scaffold of MK2 inhibitors and a benzo[4,5]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-one inhibitor of the PIM kinases

Qualitative methods II: minding the gap

Copyright © 2008 SAGE Publications. Author's draft version; post-print. Final version published by Sage available on Sage Journals Online http://online.sagepub.com/In our last review we drew together work exploring interactions between the performativity of research practices and the spaces of qualitative research (Davies and Dwyer, 2007). In this, we focus on the oscillating political subjectivities mobilized in research by human geographers and other qualitative researchers

Enthusiasm vs. reality: a job analysis of Chinese sport scientists

The aim of this study was to survey Chinese sport scientists to develop an understanding of their demographics, job characteristics, future career intentions, and opinions. This study adapted online survey and used convenience sampling to investigate the role of sport scientists across China. Ninety-seven practitioners across 18 provinces/municipalities participated in this study. Participants were typically married (70%), male (71%), aged between 30-39 (52%), and held a master’s degree (66%). Most participants were employed full-time (90%) by sport science institutes (66%), with a wide salary range, long working hours (≈48 hr per week) and irregular working time (40%). Most participants remained at the same institute (85%) throughout their career. The most frequent reason why sport scientists remained in their current position was “job enjoyment” (4.04/5). The most frequently reported issue encountered by participants was “opinion differences with sport coaches” (21%). The ability to “gain trust” and “communication” were deemed important in the role of a sport scientist. Approximately half (44%) of the participants were satisfied with their current position and employer, while others wanted promotion (34%) or to leave their role (11%). The results revealed that (1) China’s sport scientists are engaged in their current job mainly due to their enthusiasm, (2) their jobs are stable but highly demanding and relatively low paid. Poor working conditions and low retention are evident across Chinese sport scientist roles. Governing bodies should make efforts to improve the work conditions to improve the sustainability of sport scientist roles in the Chinese sport industry

A compact ultra-clean system for deploying radioactive sources inside the KamLAND detector

We describe a compact, ultra-clean device used to deploy radioactive sources along the vertical axis of the KamLAND liquid-scintillator neutrino detector for purposes of calibration. The device worked by paying out and reeling in precise lengths of a hanging, small-gauge wire rope (cable); an assortment of interchangeable radioactive sources could be attached to a weight at the end of the cable. All components exposed to the radiopure liquid scintillator were made of chemically compatible UHV-cleaned materials, primarily stainless steel, in order to avoid contaminating or degrading the scintillator. To prevent radon intrusion, the apparatus was enclosed in a hermetically sealed housing inside a glove box, and both volumes were regularly flushed with purified nitrogen gas. An infrared camera attached to the side of the housing permitted real-time visual monitoring of the cable׳s motion, and the system was controlled via a graphical user interface