Search for heavy resonances decaying to top quarks

In many models of physics beyond the Standard Model the coupling of new states to third generation quarks is enhanced. A review is presented of searches by the CMS collaboration for heavy particles decaying to final states involving top quarks. This includes searches for heavy gauge bosons and excited states. Several final states originating from the top quark decays are considered and the event reconstruction is optimised accordingly. The analyses presented use data collected with the CMS experiment during the year 2012 at the LHC, in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV.Comment: Submitted to the proceedings of "The European Physical Society Conference on High Energy Physics - EPS-HEP2013", 18-24 July 2013, Stockholm, Sweden; 6 pages, 3 figure

The global electroweak Standard Model fit after the Higgs discovery

We present an update of the global Standard Model (SM) fit to electroweak precision data under the assumption that the new particle discovered at the LHC is the SM Higgs boson. In this scenario all parameters entering the calculations of electroweak precision observalbes are known, allowing, for the first time, to over-constrain the SM at the electroweak scale and assert its validity. Within the SM the W boson mass and the effective weak mixing angle can be accurately predicted from the global fit. The results are compatible with, and exceed in precision, the direct measurements. An updated determination of the S, T and U parameters, which parametrize the oblique vacuum corrections, is given. The obtained values show good consistency with the SM expectation and no direct signs of new physics are seen. We conclude with an outlook to the global electroweak fit for a future e+e- collider.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures. Update: added a reference. To be published in the proceedings of the Rencontres de Moriond, La Thuile, Valle d'Aosta, Italy, 2-16 March, 201

Lane formation in a system of dipolar microswimmers

Using Brownian Dynamics (BD) simulations we investigate the non-equilibrium structure formation of a two-dimensional (2D) binary system of dipolar colloids propelling in opposite directions. Despite of a pronounced tendency for chain formation, the system displays a transition towards a laned state reminiscent of lane formation in systems with isotropic repulsive interactions. However, the anisotropic dipolar interactions induce novel features: First, the lanes have themselves a complex internal structure characterized by chains or clusters. Second, laning occurs only in a window of interaction strengths. We interprete our findings by a phase separation process and simple force balance arguments

Single Farm Payment in the European Union and its Implications on New Zealand Dairy and Beef Trade

The 2003 reform of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) replaced the coupled direct support schemes by a Single Farm Payment (SFP), which will be mainly delivered to farmers irrespective of what they produce (hence 'decoupled' from production). The level of decoupling differs among the Member States. This paper assesses the implementation of the SFP across Member States and how far it has been decoupled. The expected changes in the European Union's and New Zealand's trade in dairy products and beef resulting from the 2003 reform of the CAP are simulated, using a partial equilibrium trade model (Lincoln Trade and Environment Model; LTEM).Single Farm Payment, European Union, New Zealand, Common Agricultural Policy, Direct payments, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade,

A relational approach to knowledge spillovers in biotech. Network structures as drivers of inter-organizational citation patterns

In this paper, we analyze the geography of knowledge spillovers in biotech by investigating the way in which knowledge ties are organized. Following a relational account on knowledge spillovers, we depict knowledge networks as complex evolving structures that build on pre-existing knowledge and previously formed ties. In economic geography, there is still little understanding of how structural network forces (like preferential attachment and closure) shape the structure and formation of knowledge spillover networks in space. Our study investigates the knowledge spillover networks of biotech firms by means of inter-organizational citation patterns based on USPTO biotech patents in the years 2008-2010. Using a Stochastic Actor-Oriented Model (SAOM), we explain the driving forces behind the decision of actors to cite patents produced by other actors. Doing so, we address directly the endogenous forces of knowledge dynamics.knowledge spillovers, network structure, patent citations, biotech, proximity

Optimization Tactics of Lithium-Oxygen and Lithium-Carbon Dioxide Batteries to Increase Voltage Output

Lithium-ion batteries are important sources of renewable energy. The importance of lithium-ion batteries lies in their high energy density, reliability and sustainability. This makes them essential for modern life and the future of clean energy. Throughout this semester, the goal of my independent study was to determine means for the optimization of the lithium-ion battery through variable changes and testing. I facilitated the assembly and disassembly of the battery cells and was able to compile data to make observations about the performance of the battery cells. As such, I was able to determine oxygen as the optimal gas to flow through the cathode of the battery cell and a clear indication of the optimal direction of the microporous layer (MPL) facing the separator within the cell. As such, many other experiments were conducted to make observations about the performance of the batteries such as changing the electrolyte amount, MPL size and examining the hydrophilic nature of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) via application techniques. Overall, the independent study was successful in learning assembly and disassembly techniques and making predictions about the behavior of the cells. Additionally, experiments could be conducted to examine the effects of changing other factors on battery performance such as electrolyte concentration, external environments such as temperature and humidity, types of less hydrophobic MPL, sizes and shapes of the cathode flow channels, etc

Near accidents with agricultural vehicles, machinery and equipment in Austria in the year 2013

Near accidents are in the lowest stage of the accident pyramid. A near accident is defined as an unplanned event, which includes a potential accident risk, but does not bring any injury or property damage with it. The consideration of near accident plays a very significant role in accident prevention. Near accident research provides an acceptable tool to determine safety deficiencies, potential risks and hidden dangers in various work areas early enough to avoid actual accidents. The aim of the study was to identify safety weaknesses of agricultural and forestry vehicles, machinery and equipment which almost led to an accident with workers in agriculture and forestry in Austria. Also to detect weaknesses and deficits in the design to derive improvements in the safety design of machines and the associated prevention measures. The results showed that farm managers (mostly men), from 41 to 60 years with agricultural and non-agricultural training were most frequently affected by near accidents on livestock sideline farm with a farm size of 10 to 50 hectares. Machine-specific working tools of hand-held and self-propelled machinery during direct working process, influenced by unfavorable environmental conditions (soil), physical adverse factors (hurry & stress) and operating errors were most frequently involved in near accidents. The people surveyed mentioned as preventive measures to avoid the near accident situation increased training in the operation, followed by mechanical adaptations, safety equipment when buying new machines, training in the safety design of machines as well as easy-to-understand and written short operating instructions (manuals)

Analgezijski učinak magnezij sulfata u bolesnika podvrgnutih torakotomiji

Magnesium can act as an adjuvant in analgesia due to its properties of calcium channel blocker and N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist. The aim of our study was to determine if magnesium sulfate reduces perioperative analgesic requirements in patients undergoing thoracotomy procedure. Our study included 68 patients undergoing elective thoracotomy that received a bolus of 30-50 mg/kg MgSO4 followed by continuous infusion of 500 mg/h intraoperatively and 500 mg/h during the first 24 hours after the operation, or the same volume of isotonic solution (control group). Intraoperative analgesia was achieved with fentanyl and postoperative analgesia with a mixture of fentanyl and bupivacaine through epidural catheter. The level of pain was estimated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and TORDA pain scales. Fentanyl consumption during the operation was significantly lower in the magnesium treated group compared to control group. There was no statistically significant difference in epidural bupivacaine and fentanyl consumption during 48 hours postoperatively between the magnesium treated and control group. The measured VAS score at all intervals was similar in both groups. Postoperative TORDA scores were similar in both groups during the first 24 hours; however, a statistically significant difference was recorded in 40-48 h measurements. Results of our study revealed that magnesium reduced intraoperative analgesic requirements and also contributed to effective control of the static component of postthoracotomy pain.Magnezij može djelovati kao pomoćno sredstvo u analgeziji zbog svojih svojstava blokatora kalcijevih kanala i antagonista N-metil-D-aspartata. Cilj ove studije bio je utvrditi smanjuje li magnezij sulfat perioperacijske potrebe za analgezijom u bolesnika podvrgnutih zahvatu torakotomije. U studiju je bilo uključeno 68 bolesnika podvrgnutih elektivnoj torakotomiji koji su primili bolus od 30-50 mg/kg MgSO4 i potom kontinuiranu infuziju od 500 mg/h te 500 mg/h tijekom prva 24 sata nakon operacije ili isti volumen izotonične otopine. Intraoperacijska analgezija postignuta je fentanilom, a poslijeoperacijska mješavinom fentanila i bupivakaina kroz epiduralni kateter. Razina boli procijenjena je pomoću vizualne analogne ljestvice (VAS) i ljestvice za bol TORDA. Potrošnja fentanila tijekom operacije bila je značajno manja u skupini koja je dobivala magnezij u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom. Nije bilo statistički značajne razlike između skupine koja je primala fentanil i kontrolne skupine u epiduralnoj potrošnji bupivakaina i fentanila tijekom 48 sati poslije operacije. Izmjerene vrijednosti VAS bile su slične u dvjema skupinama u svim mjernim točkama. Poslijeoperacijske vrijednosti TORDA bile su slične u dvjema skupinama tijekom prva 24 sata, ali je statistički značajna razlika zabilježena u mjerenjima nakon 40-48 sati. Rezultati dobiveni u ovoj studiji pokazali su kako magnezij snižava intraoperacijske potrebe za analgezijom te doprinosi učinkovitoj kontroli statične sastavnice boli poslije torakotomije