52,402 research outputs found
Genus and spot density in the COBE DMR first year anisotropy maps
A statistical analysis of texture on the {\it COBE}-DMR first year sky maps
based on the genus and spot number is presented. A generalized
statistic is defined in terms of ``observable'' quantities: the genus and spot
density that would be measured by different cosmic observers. This strategy
together with the use of Monte Carlo simulations of the temperature
fluctuations, including all the relevant experimental parameters, represent the
main difference with previous analyses. Based on the genus analysis we find a
strong anticorrelation between the quadrupole amplitude and the
spectral index of the density fluctuation power spectrum at recombination
of the form K for fixed
, consistent with previous works. The result obtained based on the spot
density is consistent with this relation. In addition to the
previous results we have determined, using Monte Carlo simulations, the minimum
uncertainty due to cosmic variance for the determination of the spectral index
with the genus analysis. This uncertainty is .Comment: 5 pages, uuencode file containing text and 1 figure. MNRAS in press
From car to bike. Marketing and dialogue as a driver of change
The Paris Climate Agreement has sent a key message to the international community regarding the need to increase efforts to move towards a low-carbon economy and help slow climate change, while underpinning global long-term economic growth and sustainable development. COP 21 recognizes the social, economic and environmental value of voluntary mitigation actions and their co-benefits for adaptation, health and sustainable development. In this framework, the PTP Cycle project, running from 2013 to 2016 and funded by the European Commission through the Intelligent Energy Europe program, introduces a non-market approach through voluntary participation in the adoption of sustainable transport modes such as cycling, based on marketing to potential customers through Personalized Travel Plans. The medium-sized city of Burgos (Spain) and the cities of Ljubljana, Riga, Antwerp and London
(boroughs of Haringey and Greenwich) developed a new policy instrument (Personalized Travel Plans) in order to increase bike patronage. Beyond potential savings of CO2, the results show that PTP as a form of Active Mobility Consultancy is a suitable instrument to influence modal shift to public transport, walking and cycling, and to address the challenges of climate change, while fostering sustainable transportation by changing mobility behaviour. These results, matching with the state-of-the-art of studies and pilot applications in other countries, allows deriving differentiated results for medium-size and large urban areas
Unitarity of the Leptonic Mixing Matrix
We determine the elements of the leptonic mixing matrix, without assuming
unitarity, combining data from neutrino oscillation experiments and weak
decays. To that end, we first develop a formalism for studying neutrino
oscillations in vacuum and matter when the leptonic mixing matrix is not
unitary. To be conservative, only three light neutrino species are considered,
whose propagation is generically affected by non-unitary effects. Precision
improvements within future facilities are discussed as well.Comment: Standard Model radiative corrections to the invisible Z width
included. Some numerical results modified at the percent level. Updated with
latest bounds on the rare tau decay. Physical conculsions unchange
Fuzzy Inference System for VOLT/VAR control in distribution substations in isolated power systems
This paper presents a fuzzy inference system for voltage/reactive power
control in distribution substations. The purpose is go forward to automation
distribution and its implementation in isolated power systems where control
capabilities are limited and it is common using the same applications as in
continental power systems. This means that lot of functionalities do not apply
and computational burden generates high response times. A fuzzy controller,
with logic guidelines embedded based upon heuristic rules resulting from
operators at dispatch control center past experience, has been designed.
Working as an on-line tool, it has been tested under real conditions and it has
managed the operation during a whole day in a distribution substation. Within
the limits of control capabilities of the system, the controller maintained
successfully an acceptable voltage profile, power factor values over 0,98 and
it has ostensibly improved the performance given by an optimal power flow based
automation system
- …