Neutrino oscillations refitted

Here we update our previous global fit of neutrino oscillations by including the recent results which have appeared since the Neutrino-2012 conference. These include the measurements of reactor anti-neutrino disappearance reported by Daya Bay and RENO, together with latest T2K and MINOS data including both disappearance and appearance channels. We also include the revised results from the third solar phase of Super-Kamiokande, SK-III, as well as new solar results from the fourth phase of Super-Kamiokande, SK-IV. We find that the preferred global determination of the atmospheric angle $\theta_{23}$ is consistent with maximal mixing. We also determine the impact of the new data upon all the other neutrino oscillation parameters with emphasis on the increasing sensitivity to the CP phase, thanks to the interplay between accelerator and reactor data. In the appendix we present the updated results obtained after the inclusion of new reactor data presented at the Neutrino 2014 conference. We discuss their impact on the global neutrino analysis.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables. An appendix providing updated results after Neutrino-2014 Conference is added. Matches published version in Physical Review

Global status of neutrino oscillation parameters after Neutrino-2012

Here we update the global fit of neutrino oscillations in arXiv:1103.0734 and arXiv:1108.1376 including the recent measurements of reactor antineutrino disappearance reported by the Double Chooz, Daya Bay and RENO experiments, together with latest MINOS and T2K appearance and disappearance results, as presented at the Neutrino-2012 conference. We find that the preferred global fit value of $\theta_{13}$ is quite large: $\sin^2\theta_{13} \simeq 0.025$ for normal and inverted neutrino mass ordering, with $\theta_{13} = 0$ now excluded at more than 10$\sigma$. The impact of the new $\theta_{13}$ measurements over the other neutrino oscillation parameters is discussed as well as the role of the new long-baseline neutrino data and the atmospheric neutrino analysis in the determination of a non-maximal atmospheric angle $\theta_{23}$.Comment: Note added, matches published version in Physical Review

Lepton flavor violation and non-unitary lepton mixing in low-scale type-I seesaw

Within low-scale seesaw mechanisms, such as the inverse and linear seesaw, one expects (i) potentially large lepton flavor violation (LFV) and (ii) sizeable non-standard neutrino interactions (NSI). We consider the interplay between the magnitude of non-unitarity effects in the lepton mixing matrix, and the constraints that follow from LFV searches in the laboratory. We find that NSI parameters can be sizeable, up to percent level in some cases, while LFV rates, such as that for \mu -> e \gamma, lie within current limits, including the recent one set by the MEG collaboration. As a result the upcoming long baseline neutrino experiments offer a window of opportunity for complementary LFV and weak universality tests.Comment: 14 pages, 14 composite figures and 1 table. v2: minor changes, references added. Accepted for publication in JHE

Identifying networks with common organizational principles

Many complex systems can be represented as networks, and the problem of network comparison is becoming increasingly relevant. There are many techniques for network comparison, from simply comparing network summary statistics to sophisticated but computationally costly alignment-based approaches. Yet it remains challenging to accurately cluster networks that are of a different size and density, but hypothesized to be structurally similar. In this paper, we address this problem by introducing a new network comparison methodology that is aimed at identifying common organizational principles in networks. The methodology is simple, intuitive and applicable in a wide variety of settings ranging from the functional classification of proteins to tracking the evolution of a world trade network.Comment: 26 pages, 7 figure

On the description of non-unitary neutrino mixing

Neutrino oscillations are well established and the relevant parameters determined with good precision, except for the CP phase, in terms of a unitary lepton mixing matrix. Seesaw extensions of the Standard Model predict unitarity deviations due to the admixture of heavy isosinglet neutrinos. We provide a complete description of the unitarity and universality deviations in the light neutrino sector. Neutrino oscillation experiments involving electron or muon neutrinos and anti-neutrinos are fully described in terms of just three new real parameters and a new CP phase, in addition to the ones describing oscillations with unitary mixing. Using this formalism we describe the implications of non-unitarity for neutrino oscillations and summarize the model-independent constraints on heavy neutrino couplings that arise from current experiments.Comment: 28 pages, 8 figures, typos corrected, modified bounds on non-unitarity parameters, new figs 3 and

Tratamiento ideal del Helicobacter pylori: una revisión sistemática

ResumenAntecedentesLas tasas de éxito de las terapias para tratar el Helicobacter pylori varían ampliamente a nivel mundial. El tratamiento óptimo no ha sido claramente establecido.ObjetivoSe realizó un revisión sistemática para evaluar la eficacia de las terapias actuales de primera y segunda línea en la infección por Helicobacter pylori.MétodosDos investigadores realizaron la revisión independiente en motores de búsqueda electrónica (PUBMED, EMBASE, MEDLINE) de ensayos clínicos publicados entre 1990 y 2012, incluyendo adultos e idiomas inglés y español.ResultadosSe evaluaron 43ensayos clínicos (n=8,123), que incluyen terapias triples, cuádruples y secuenciales, de primera y segunda línea. Las tasas de erradicación de la terapia triple estándar son inaceptables (≤80%) en países donde el H.pylori presenta alta resistencia a claritromicina y metronidazol. Un tiempo mayor a 7días no mejora la eficacia de la triple terapia estándar. No se observaron diferencias significativas entre las tasas de erradicación de la terapia cuádruple con bismuto y la triple terapia estándar. Aunque las terapias secuencial y concomitante son regímenes igualmente exitosos, la terapia triple con levofloxacino ofrece los mejores resultados como primera y segunda línea, pero la resistencia a quinolonas puede disminuir su eficacia. La triple terapia con levofloxacino, la secuencial y la concomitante fueron superiores al esquema triple estándar como régimen de primera línea.ConclusionesActualmente no existe un tratamiento óptimo de primera o segunda línea que logre una erradicación del 100%. El orden terapéutico deberá realizarse acorde al tratamiento inicial y a estudios locales de resistencia antimicrobiana.AbstractBackgroundThe success rates of therapies for treating Helicobacter pylori vary greatly worldwide and the ideal treatment has yet to be clearly established.AimsA systematic review was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of current first and second-line therapies in treating H.pylori infection.MethodsTwo researchers independently carried out Internet search engine reviews (PUBMED, EMBASE, MEDLINE) of clinical trials on adults published between 1990 and 2012 in both English and Spanish.ResultsForty-three (n=8,123) clinical trials were evaluated that included first and second-line triple, quadruple, and sequential therapies. The eradication rates of the standard triple therapy are unacceptable (≤80%) in countries where H.pylori is highly resistant to clarithromycin and metronidazole. Administration of the standard triple therapy for more than 7days does not improve its effectiveness. No statistically significant differences were observed between the eradication rates of the quadruple therapy with bismuth and the standard triple therapy. Even though the sequential and concomitant therapies are equally successful regimens, the triple therapy with levofloxacin offers the best results as first and second-line treatment, but quinolone resistance can diminish its effectiveness. The triple therapy with levofloxacin and the sequential and concomitant treatments were superior to the standard triple regimen as first-line therapy.ConclusionsCurrently there is no ideal first or second-line treatment for achieving 100% eradication. The therapeutic order should be carried out according to the initial treatment and local antimicrobial resistance studies

Status of neutrino oscillations 2018: first hint for normal mass ordering and improved CP sensitivity

We present a new global fit of neutrino oscillation parameters within the simplest three-neutrino picture, including new data which appeared since our previous analysis~\cite{Forero:2014bxa}. In this update we include new long-baseline neutrino data involving the antineutrino channel in T2K, as well as new data in the neutrino channel, data from NO$\nu$A, as well as new reactor data, such as the Daya Bay 1230 days electron antineutrino disappearance spectrum data and the 1500 live days prompt spectrum from RENO, as well as new Double Chooz data. We also include atmospheric neutrino data from the IceCube DeepCore and ANTARES neutrino telescopes and from Super-Kamiokande. Finally, we also update our solar oscillation analysis by including the 2055-day day/night spectrum from the fourth phase of the Super-Kamiokande experiment. With the new data we find a preference for the atmospheric angle in the upper octant for both neutrino mass orderings, with maximal mixing allowed at $\Delta\chi^2 = 1.6 \, (3.2)$ for normal (inverted) ordering. We also obtain a strong preference for values of the CP phase $\delta$ in the range $[\pi,2\pi]$, excluding values close to $\pi/2$ at more than 4$\sigma$. More remarkably, our global analysis shows for the first time hints in favour of the normal mass ordering over the inverted one at more than 3$\sigma$. We discuss in detail the origin of the mass ordering, CP violation and octant sensitivities, analyzing the interplay among the different neutrino data samples.Comment: Updated neutrino oscillation analysis using the most recent results from T2K, NO$\nu$A, RENO and Super-Kamiokande. 17 pages, 8 figures, 1 tabl

Stability of glassy hierarchical networks

The structure of interactions in most animal and human societies can be best represented by complex hierarchical networks. In order to maintain close-to-optimal function both stability and adaptability are necessary. Here we investigate the stability of hierarchical networks that emerge from the simulations of an organization type with an efficiency function reminiscent of the Hamiltonian of spin glasses. Using this quantitative approach we find a number of expected (from everyday observations) and highly non-trivial results for the obtained locally optimal networks, including, for example: (i) stability increases with growing efficiency and level of hierarchy; (ii) the same perturbation results in a larger change for more efficient states; (iii) networks with a lower level of hierarchy become more efficient after perturbation; (iv) due to the huge number of possible optimal states only a small fraction of them exhibit resilience and, finally, (v) 'attacks' targeting the nodes selectively (regarding their position in the hierarchy) can result in paradoxical outcomes

OPTIMISATION OF ENERGY ABSORBING LINER FOR EQUESTRIAN HELMETS

The density of foam used as energy absorbing liner material in safety helmets was optimised in this paper using Finite Element Modelling (FEM). FEM simulations of impact tests from certification standards were carried out to obtain the best performing configurations of helmet liner. For each test condition, two best liner configurations were identified as minimising peak impact accelerations: one was composed of layers of uniform foam and the other of functionally graded foam (FGF). It was found that the observed decreases in the peak accelerations for the best performing helmets in various test conditions are directly related to the contact area, the distribution of internal stresses, and the dissipated plastic energy density (DPED). Application of the methods described in this study could help increase energy absorption for current and future equestrian helmet designs

Between Reality and Fantasy: The Narrative Strategies of the Horror Genre in Productions by Laika Studios (2009-2015)

The purpose of this study is to explore the narrative strategies used to communicate the horror genre in the scripts of Laika studios and to investigate both the extent to which they contribute to imbuing the genre with a unique character in aesthetic and dramatic terms within mainstream animation cinema and the role they fulfil within the framework of their thematic approaches. To this end, a textual analysis of the studio’s productions was conducted for Coraline (Henry Selick, 2009), ParaNorman (Chris Butler & Sam Fell, 2012), The Boxtrolls (Graham Annable & Anthony Stacchi, 2014) and Kubo and the Two Strings (Travis Knight, 2016). The analysis was based on the knowledge categories proposed by Jule Selbo’s (2010) study on the creation of a mental space for the genre. The categories are divided into schematic, specific, and relevant knowledge. Finally, this study demonstrates how the tactics of the horror genre used in these films have enabled a different view of common themes in family-oriented Hollywood animation by communicating a stark image of the family and growing up. Although this image is not transgressive, it is certainly innovative by virtue of its thematic content, in which warnings against romanticising reality abound.El presente trabajo tiene por objeto explorar las estrategias narrativas que se refieren a la comunicación del género de terror en los guiones del estudio Laika, indagando en qué medida contribuyen a darle un carácter singular en términos estéticos y dramáticos dentro del cine de animación mainstream, así como cuál es el papel que estas cumplen en el marco de sus planteamientos temáticos. Para ello se realiza un análisis textual de sus producciones Coraline (Henry Selick, 2009), Paranorman (Chris Butler & San Fell, 2012); The Boxtrolls (Graham Annable & Anthony Stacchi, 2014) y Kubo and the Two String (Travis Knight, 2016), a partir del estudio de las categorías propuestas por Jule Selbo (2010) para la creación de un espacio mental del género: el conocimiento esquemático, el conocimiento específico y el conocimiento relevante. Por último, se logra evidenciar cómo las tácticas del género de terror en estas obras han facilitado el tratamiento de temas frecuentes en el cine familiar de animación hollywoodense con un prisma distinto, comunicando una visión descarnada de la familia y del crecer, que si bien no es transgresora sí es innovadora en virtud del contenido de sus propuestas temáticas, en la que prima una advertencia sobre la no idealización de la realidad