Solar System Constraints on f(G) Dark Energy

Corrections to solar system gravity are derived for f(G) gravity theories, in which a function of the Gauss-Bonnet curvature term is added to the gravitational action. Their effects on Newton's law, as felt by the planets, and on the frequency shift of signals from the Cassini spacecraft, are both determined. Despite the fact that the Gauss-Bonnet term is quadratic in curvature, the resulting constraints are substantial. It is shown that they practically rule out f(G) as a natural explanation for the late-time acceleration of the universe. Possible exceptions are when f(G) reduces to something very close to a cosmological constant, or if the form of the function f is exceptionally fine-tuned.Comment: 12 pages. v3: Extra refs and discussio

A study of the crab pot as a fishing gear

The crab pot as a fishing gear was introduced in Maryland waters, following some years of greatly expanded use in Virginia, during the 1939 season, and was widely used during 1940. The 1941 session of the Maryland Legislature, however, illegalized the crab pot. Since that time the device has been given up almost entirely by Maryland fishermen, its attempted use in a commercial way having persisted in diminishing numbers in only one region of the state

Gauss-Bonnet Brane World Gravity with a Scalar Field

The effective four-dimensional, linearised gravity of a brane world model with one extra dimension and a single brane is analysed. The model includes higher order curvature terms (such as the Gauss-Bonnet term) and a conformally coupled scalar field. Large and small distance gravitational laws are derived. In contrast to the corresponding Einstein gravity models, it is possible to obtain solutions with localised gravity which are compatible with observations. Solutions with non-standard large distance Newtonian potentials are also described.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of Phi in the Sky: The Quest for Cosmological Scalar Fields, Porto, Portugal 8-10 July 2004. 6 page

Charm semileptonic decays at LHCb

In these proceedings, we explore the possible reach of the LHCb dataset in the area of charm semileptonic decays. Specifically, we give prospects for the measurement of $|V_{cs}|/|V_{cd}|$ using $\mathcal{B}(D^0\to K^-\mu^+\nu_\mu)/\mathcal{B}(D^0\to\pi^-\mu^+\nu_\mu)$ with Run I data. Preliminary projections show that the LHCb Run I dataset would give a relative statistical uncertainty of $\sim 0.2\%$ on this ratio. We also motivate the search for lepton non-universality in the charm sector.Comment: Proceedings of the 9th International Workshop on the CKM Unitarity Triangle, 28 November - 3 December 2016, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, India. 6 pages, 3 figure

Electromagnetic compatibility overview

An assessment of the electromagnetic compatibility impact of the Satellite Power System is discussed. The discussion is divided into two parts: determination of the emission expected from SPS including their spatial and spectral distributions, and evaluation of the impact of such emissions on electromagnetic systems including considerations of means for mitigating effects