Universal interface width distributions at the depinning threshold

We compute the probability distribution of the interface width at the depinning threshold, using recent powerful algorithms. It confirms the universality classes found previously. In all cases, the distribution is surprisingly well approximated by a generalized Gaussian theory of independant modes which decay with a characteristic propagator G(q)=1/q^(d+2 zeta); zeta, the roughness exponent, is computed independently. A functional renormalization analysis explains this result and allows to compute the small deviations, i.e. a universal kurtosis ratio, in agreement with numerics. We stress the importance of the Gaussian theory to interpret numerical data and experiments.Comment: 4 pages revtex4. See also the following article cond-mat/030146

Neutrino Oscillations v.s. Leptogenesis in SO(10) Models

We study the link between neutrino oscillations and leptogenesis in the minimal framework assuming an SO(10) see-saw mechanism with 3 families. Dirac neutrino masses being fixed, the solar and atmospheric data then generically induce a large mass-hierarchy and a small mixing between the lightest right-handed neutrinos, which fails to produce sufficient lepton asymmetry by 5 orders of magnitudes at least. This failure can be attenuated for a very specific value of the mixing sin^2(2\theta_{e3})=0.1, which interestingly lies at the boundary of the CHOOZ exclusion region, but will be accessible to future long baseline experiments.Comment: 23 pages, 8 eps figures, JHEP3 format; more accurate effect of dilution reduces previous results, inclusion of all phases, added reference

Trends in youth cannabis use across cannabis legalization: Data from the COMPASS prospective cohort study

Canada legalized recreational cannabis use for adults on October 17, 2018 with decision-makers emphasising the need to reduce cannabis use among youth. We sought to characterise trends of youth cannabis use before and after cannabis legalization by relying on a quasi-experimental design evaluating cannabis use among high school students in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec who participated in the COMPASS prospective cohort study. Overall trends in use were examined using a large repeat cross-sectional sample (n = 102,685) at two time points before legalization (16/17 and 17/18 school years) and one after (18/19 school year). Further differential changes in use among students affected by legalization were examined using three sequential four-year longitudinal cohorts (n = 5,400) of students as they progressed through high school. Youth cannabis use remains common with ever-use increasing from 30.5% in 2016/17 to 32.4% in 2018/19. In the repeat cross-sectional sample, the odds of ever use in the year following legalization were 1.05 times those of the preceding year (p = 0.0090). In the longitudinal sample, no significant differences in trends of cannabis use over time were found between cohorts for any of the three use frequency metrics. Therefore, it appears that cannabis legalization has not yet been followed by pronounced changes on youth cannabis use. High prevalence of youth cannabis use in this sample remains a concern. These data suggest that the Cannabis Act has not yet led to the reduction in youth cannabis use envisioned in its public health approach.The COMPASS study has been supported by a bridge grant from the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD) through the “Obesity – Interventions to Prevent or Treat” priority funding awards (OOP-110788; awarded to SL), an operating grant from the CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH) (MOP-114875; awarded to SL), a CIHR project grant (PJT-148562; awarded to SL), a CIHR bridge grant (PJT-149092; awarded to KP/SL), a CIHR project grant (PJT-159693; awarded to KP), a CIHR Team grant (CVP-429107; awarded to SL), a research funding arrangement with Health Canada (#1617-HQ-000012; awarded to SL) and by a CIHR-Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) team grant (OF7 B1-PCPEGT 410-10-9633; awarded to SL). COMPASS Québec additionally benefits from funding from the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux of the province of Québec and the Direction régionale de santé publique du CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale

A New Solution to the Relative Orientation Problem using only 3 Points and the Vertical Direction

This paper presents a new method to recover the relative pose between two images, using three points and the vertical direction information. The vertical direction can be determined in two ways: 1- using direct physical measurement like IMU (inertial measurement unit), 2- using vertical vanishing point. This knowledge of the vertical direction solves 2 unknowns among the 3 parameters of the relative rotation, so that only 3 homologous points are requested to position a couple of images. Rewriting the coplanarity equations leads to a simpler solution. The remaining unknowns resolution is performed by an algebraic method using Grobner bases. The elements necessary to build a specific algebraic solver are given in this paper, allowing for a real-time implementation. The results on real and synthetic data show the efficiency of this method

Green Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Biological Activities of Ag-Mno Nanocomposites from Cyttaranthus Congolensis.

This study consists of biogenic synthesis of Ag-MnO nanocomposite whose aqueous extract from Cyttaranthus congolensis was used as a reducer and stabilizer. The characterization of these particles by visible UV spectroscopy made it possible to identify the band linked to the surface plasmon resonance located around 380 nm. X-ray Diffraction and Fluorescence made it possible to determine the presence of particles of formula Ag 0.21 Mn 0.28 O having crystallized in a Monoclinic system (a= 5.8517 , b = 3.4674 , c = 5.4838  and β = 107.663°). A spherical morphology was determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The haemolytic activity carried out on human blood made it possible to conclude that Ag-MnO nanocomposites are not toxic to human blood. Moreover, these particles showed good antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative strains of bacteria. Promising results on anthelminthic activity of Ag-MnO nanocomposites against several pathogenic helmints were reported in this study. Besides antibacterial and antihelmintic activities, Ag-MnO nanocomposites also exhibited good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity

Absolute luminosity measurements with the LHCb detector at the LHC

Absolute luminosity measurements are of general interest for colliding-beam experiments at storage rings. These measurements are necessary to determine the absolute cross-sections of reaction processes and are valuable to quantify the performance of the accelerator. Using data taken in 2010, LHCb has applied two methods to determine the absolute scale of its luminosity measurements for proton-proton collisions at the LHC with a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. In addition to the classic "van der Meer scan" method a novel technique has been developed which makes use of direct imaging of the individual beams using beam-gas and beam-beam interactions. This beam imaging method is made possible by the high resolution of the LHCb vertex detector and the close proximity of the detector to the beams, and allows beam parameters such as positions, angles and widths to be determined. The results of the two methods have comparable precision and are in good agreement. Combining the two methods, an overall precision of 3.5% in the absolute luminosity determination is reached. The techniques used to transport the absolute luminosity calibration to the full 2010 data-taking period are presented.Comment: 48 pages, 19 figures. Results unchanged, improved clarity of Table 6, 9 and 10 and corresponding explanation in the tex

Absolute luminosity measurements with the LHCb detector at the LHC

Absolute luminosity measurements are of general interest for colliding-beam experiments at storage rings. These measurements are necessary to determine the absolute cross-sections of reaction processes and are valuable to quantify the performance of the accelerator. Using data taken in 2010, LHCb has applied two methods to determine the absolute scale of its luminosity measurements for proton-proton collisions at the LHC with a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. In addition to the classic "van der Meer scan" method a novel technique has been developed which makes use of direct imaging of the individual beams using beam-gas and beam-beam interactions. This beam imaging method is made possible by the high resolution of the LHCb vertex detector and the close proximity of the detector to the beams, and allows beam parameters such as positions, angles and widths to be determined. The results of the two methods have comparable precision and are in good agreement. Combining the two methods, an overall precision of 3.5% in the absolute luminosity determination is reached. The techniques used to transport the absolute luminosity calibration to the full 2010 data-taking period are presented.Comment: 48 pages, 19 figures. Results unchanged, improved clarity of Table 6, 9 and 10 and corresponding explanation in the tex

Measurement of the ratio of branching fractions BR(B0 -> K*0 gamma)/BR(Bs0 -> phi gamma) and the direct CP asymmetry in B0 -> K*0 gamma

The ratio of branching fractions of the radiative B decays B0 -> K*0 gamma and Bs0 phi gamma has been measured using an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb-1 of pp collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of sqrt(s)=7 TeV. The value obtained is BR(B0 -> K*0 gamma)/BR(Bs0 -> phi gamma) = 1.23 +/- 0.06(stat.) +/- 0.04(syst.) +/- 0.10(fs/fd), where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is the experimental systematic uncertainty and the third is associated with the ratio of fragmentation fractions fs/fd. Using the world average value for BR(B0 -> K*0 gamma), the branching fraction BR(Bs0 -> phi gamma) is measured to be (3.5 +/- 0.4) x 10^{-5}. The direct CP asymmetry in B0 -> K*0 gamma decays has also been measured with the same data and found to be A(CP)(B0 -> K*0 gamma) = (0.8 +/- 1.7(stat.) +/- 0.9(syst.))%. Both measurements are the most precise to date and are in agreement with the previous experimental results and theoretical expectations.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figues, 4 table

Absolute luminosity measurements with the LHCb detector at the LHC

Absolute luminosity measurements are of general interest for colliding-beam experiments at storage rings. These measurements are necessary to determine the absolute cross-sections of reaction processes and are valuable to quantify the performance of the accelerator. Using data taken in 2010, LHCb has applied two methods to determine the absolute scale of its luminosity measurements for proton-proton collisions at the LHC with a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. In addition to the classic "van der Meer scan" method a novel technique has been developed which makes use of direct imaging of the individual beams using beam-gas and beam-beam interactions. This beam imaging method is made possible by the high resolution of the LHCb vertex detector and the close proximity of the detector to the beams, and allows beam parameters such as positions, angles and widths to be determined. The results of the two methods have comparable precision and are in good agreement. Combining the two methods, an overall precision of 3.5% in the absolute luminosity determination is reached. The techniques used to transport the absolute luminosity calibration to the full 2010 data-taking period are presented.Comment: 48 pages, 19 figures. Results unchanged, improved clarity of Table 6, 9 and 10 and corresponding explanation in the tex