14,078 research outputs found
Death, Disease, and Dirty Power: Mortality and Health Damage Due to Air Pollution From Power Plants
Summarizes the findings of a study that looks at the contribution of air emissions from power plants to fine particle levels, and the impact of those emissions on human health. Discusses policies that would reduce power plant fine particle pollution
System engineering considerations in spacecraft design
System engineering considerations in spacecraft desig
Confronting the short-baseline oscillation anomalies with a single sterile neutrino and non-standard matter effects
We examine the MiniBooNE neutrino, MiniBooNE antineutrino and LSND
antineutrino data sets in a two-neutrino
oscillation approximation subject to non-standard matter effects. We assume
those effects can be parametrized by an -independent effective potential,
, experienced only by an intermediate, non-weakly-interacting
(sterile) neutrino state which we assume participates in the oscillation, where
corresponds to neutrino/antineutrino propagation. We discuss the
mathematical framework in which such oscillations arise in detail, and derive
the relevant oscillation probability as a function of the vacuum oscillation
parameters and , and the matter effect
parameter . We are able to successfully fit all three data sets, including
the MiniBooNE low energy excess, with the following best-fit model parameters:
eV, , and
eV. The -probability for the best fit
corresponds to 21.6%, to be compared to 6.8% for a fit where has been set
to zero, corresponding to a (3+1) sterile neutrino oscillation model. We find
that the compatibility between the three data sets corresponds to 17.4%, to be
compared to 2.3% for . Finally, given the fit results, we examine
consequences for reactor, solar, and atmospheric oscillations. For this paper,
the presented model is empirically driven, but the results obtained can be
directly used to investigate various phenomenological interpretations such as
non-standard matter effects.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, 1 tabl
Strategies and challenges to facilitate situated learning in virtual worlds post-Second Life
Virtual worlds can establish a stimulating environment to support a situated learning approach in which students simulate a task within a safe environment. While in previous years Second Life played a major role in providing such a virtual environment, there are now more and more alternative—often OpenSim-based—solutions deployed within the educational community. By drawing parallels to social networks, we discuss two aspects: how to link individually hosted virtual worlds together in order to implement context for immersion and how to identify and avoid “fake” avatars so people behind these avatars can be held accountable for their actions
Can a 3+2 Oscillation Model Explain the NuTeV Electroweak Results?
The weak mixing angle result from NuTeV falls three standard deviations above
the value determined by global electroweak fits. It has been suggested that one
possible explanation for this result could be the oscillation of electron
neutrinos in the NuTeV beam to sterile neutrinos. This article examines several
cases of masses and mixings for 3+2 neutrino oscillation models which fit the
current oscillation data at 99% CL. We conclude that electron to sterile
neutrino oscillations can account for only up to a third of a standard
deviation between the NuTeV determination of the weak mixing angle and the
standard model.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Brief Report
Astrobiology in the Field: Studying Mars by Analogue Expeditions on Earth
We will present a strategy for how one prepares to engage in fieldwork on another planets by practicing in analogous environments on the Earth, including at Mono Lake. As an example, we will address the problem of how to study the habitability of an environment when you have no idea what kind of life might be there to exploit it. This will all be related to the upcoming launch of the Mars Science Laboratory to Mars in late November this year
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