Status of Oscillation plus Decay of Atmospheric and Long-Baseline Neutrinos

We study the interplay of neutrino oscillation and invisible decay in atmospheric and long-baseline neutrinos experiments. We perform a global analysis of the full atmospheric data from Super-Kamiokande together with long-baseline K2K and MINOS in these scenarios. We find that the admixture of nu_mu -> nu_tau oscillations with parameters Delta_m32^2 = 2.6e-3 eV^2 and theta_23 ~ 34 degrees plus decay of the heavy neutrino, nu_3, with lifetime of the order tau_3/m_3 ~ 2.6e-12 s/eV provides a reasonable fit to atmospheric neutrinos, although this solution becomes more disfavored (dropping to the 99% CL) once long-baseline data are included. Other than this local minimum, the analysis shows no evidence in favor of a non-vanishing neutrino decay width and an lower bound on the decay lifetime tau_3/m_3 > 9.3e-11 s/eV is set at 99% CL. In the framework of Majoron models, this constraint can be translated into a bound on the Majoron coupling to nu_3 and an unmixed very light sterile state, |g_s3| < 8.6e-3 (2.2 eV/m_3).Comment: LaTeX file using elsart style, 10 pages and 2 figures included. Final versio

Energy Independent Solution to the Solar Neutrino Anomaly including the SNO data

The global data on solar neutrino rates and spectrum, including the SNO charged current rate, can be explained by LMA, LOW or the energy independent solution -- corresponding to near-maximal mixing. All the three favour a mild upward renormalisation of the Cl rate. A mild downward shift of the $B$ neutrino flux is favoured by the energy independent and to a lesser extent the LOW solution, but not by LMA. Comparison with the ratio of SK elastic and SNO charged current scattering rates favours the LMA over the other two solutions, but by no more than $1.5\sigma$.Comment: 18 pages, latex, 3 figure

Status of the Gribov-Pontecorvo solution to the solar neutrino problem

We discuss the status of the Gribov-Pontecorvo (GP) solution to the solar neutrino problem. This solution naturally appears in bimaximal neutrino mixing, and reduces the solar and atmospheric neutrino problems to vacuum oscillations of three active neutrinos. The GP solution predicts an energy-independent suppression of the solar neutrino flux. It is disfavoured by the rate of the Homestake detector, but its statistical significance greatly improves, when the chlorine rate and the boron neutrino flux are slightly rescaled, and when the Super-Kamiokande neutrino spectrum is included in the analysis. Our results show that rescaling of the chlorine signal by only 10% is sufficient for the GP solution to exist, if the boron-neutrino flux is taken 10-20% lower than the SSM prediction. The regions allowed for the GP solution in the parameter space are found and observational signatures of this solution are discussed

Status of the MSW solutions of the solar neutrino problem

We present an updated global analysis of two-flavour MSW solutions to the solar neutrino problem. We perform a fit to the full data set corresponding to the 825-day Super-Kamiokande data sample as well as to chlorine, GALLEX and SAGE experiments. In our analysis we use all measured total event rates as well as all Super-Kamiokande data on the zenith angle dependence, energy spectrum and seasonal variation of the events. We compare the quality of the solutions of the solar neutrino anomaly in terms of conversions of v(e) into active or sterile neutrinos. For the case of conversions into active neutrinos we find that, although the data on the total event rates favours the Small Mixing Angle (SMA) solution, once the full data set is included both SMA and Large Mixing Angle (LMA) solutions give an equally good Fit to the data. We find that the best-fit points for the combined analysis are Delta m(2) = 3.6 X 10(-5) eV(2) and sin(2)2 theta = 0.79 with chi(min)(2) = 35.4/30 d.o.f. and Delta m(2) = 5.1 x 10(-6) eV(2) and sin(2)2 theta = 5.5 X 10(-3) with chi(min)(2) = 37.4/30 dof In contrast with the earlier 504-day study of Bahcall-Krastev-Smirnov our results indicate that the LMA solution is not only allowed, but slightly preferred. On the other hand, we show that seasonal effects, although small, may still leach 11% in the lower part of the LMA region, without conflict with the negative hints of a day-night variation (6% is due to the eccentricity of the Earth's orbit). In particular the best-fit LMA solution predicts a seasonal effect of 8.5%. For conversions into sterile neutrinos only the SMA solution is possible with best-fit point Delta m(2) = 5.0 X 10(-6) eV(2) and sin(2)2 theta = 3. X 10(-3) and chi(min)(2) = 40.2/30 d.o.f. We also consider departures of the Standard Solar Model (SSM) of Bahcall and Pinsonneault 1998 (BP98) by allowing arbitrary B-8 and hep fluxes. These modifications do not alter significantly the oscillation parameters. The best fit is obtained for B-8/B-8(SSM) = 0.61 and hep/hep(SSM) = 12 for the SMA solution both fur conversions into active or sterile neutrinos and B-8/B-8(SSM)=1.37 and hep/hep(SSM) = 38 for the LMA solution

Doing Machismo: Legitimating speech acts as a selection discourse

This article explores the relationship between machismo and implicit power processes at a conceptual and empirical level. Implicit power processes are the taken-for-granted ways in which organizational members reproduce sexual divisions in their organizations. The empirical data are derived from the Argentine auto components industry. This is a male-dominated industry and machismo was used to explain and justify selection decisions that favoured men. Machismo is intrinsically linked to masculinity and power and should be defined as a set of hegemonic masculinities. Machismo represents four images of the dominant ideal of manhood in the Argentine society. These images are the authoritarian image, the breadwinner image, the virility image and the chivalry image. Machismo can then be studied as a discourse on masculinity that, when translated into particular selection discourses, implicitly leads to the exclusion of women from this industry. Machismo and implicit power processes are thus intertwined; both sexes routinely reproduce the male standard. In order to show how discourses on masculinity implicitly shape selection processes, this article presents a typology. The typology consists of four types, the power of natural differences, the power of denial, pastoral or caring power, and the power of the male standard. The typology serves as an analytical tool to reveal the intertwining of machismo and implicit power processes at the shop floors of Argentine auto components firms. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2005

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

What if social workers were paid more?

10.1080/03643107.2010.500988Administration in Social Work344351-36