Future neutrino oscillation facilities

The recent discovery that neutrinos have masses opens a wide new field of experimentation. Accelerator-made neutrinos are essential in this program. Ideas for future facilities include high intensity muon neutrino beams from pion decay (`SuperBeam'), electron neutrino beams from nuclei decays (`Beta Beam'), or muon and electron neutrino beams from muon decay (`Neutrino Factory'), each associated with one or several options for detector systems. Each option offers synergetic possibilities, e.g. some of the detectors can be used for proton decay searches, while the Neutrino Factory is a first step towards muon colliders. A summary of the perceived virtues and shortcomings of the various options, and a number of open questions are presented.Comment: Originally written for the CERN Strategy Grou

Golden measurements at a neutrino factory

The precision and discovery potential of a neutrino factory based on muon storage rings is studied. For three-family neutrino oscillations, we analyse how to measure or severely constraint the angle $\theta_{13}$, CP violation, MSW effects and the sign of the atmospheric mass difference $\Delta m^2_{23}$. We present a simple analytical formula for the oscillation probabilities in matter, with all neutrino mass differences non-vanishing, which clarifies the subtleties involved in disentangling the unknown parameters. The appearance of ``wrong-sign muons'' at three reference baselines is considered: 732 km, 3500 km, and 7332 km. We exploit the dependence of the signal on the neutrino energy, and include as well realistic background estimations and detection efficiencies. The optimal baseline turns out to be ${\cal O}(3000$ km). Analyses combining the information from different baselines are also presented.Comment: 45 pages, Latex2e, 24 figures using epsfig.sty. An incorrect statement and a few misprints have been corrected. Results and conclusions are unchange

The uncoupling limit of identical Hopf bifurcations with an application to perceptual bistability

We study the dynamics arising when two identical oscillators are coupled near a Hopf bifurcation where we assume a parameter $\epsilon$ uncouples the system at $\epsilon=0$. Using a normal form for $N=2$ identical systems undergoing Hopf bifurcation, we explore the dynamical properties. Matching the normal form coefficients to a coupled Wilson-Cowan oscillator network gives an understanding of different types of behaviour that arise in a model of perceptual bistability. Notably, we find bistability between in-phase and anti-phase solutions that demonstrates the feasibility for synchronisation to act as the mechanism by which periodic inputs can be segregated (rather than via strong inhibitory coupling, as in existing models). Using numerical continuation we confirm our theoretical analysis for small coupling strength and explore the bifurcation diagrams for large coupling strength, where the normal form approximation breaks down

Systematic Exploration of the Neutrino Factory Parameter Space including Errors and Correlations

We discuss in a systematic way the extraction of neutrino masses, mixing angles and leptonic CP violation at neutrino factories. Compared to previous studies we put a special emphasis on improved statistical methods and on the multidimensional nature of the combined fits of the nu_e -> nu_mu, \bar nu_e -> \bar nu_mu appearance and nu_mu -> nu_mu, \bar nu_mu -> \bar nu_mu disappearance channels. Uncertainties of all involved parameters and statistical errors are included. We find previously ignored correlations in the multidimensional parameter space, leading to modifications in the physics reach, which amount in some cases to one order of magnitude. Including proper statistical errors we determine for all parameters the improved sensitivity limits for various baselines, beam energies, neutrino fluxes and detector masses. Our results allow a comparison of the physics potential for different choices of baseline and beam energy with regard to all involved parameters. In addition we discuss in more detail the problem of parameter degeneracies in measurements of delta_CP.Comment: 29 pages, 14 fugure

A utilidade do relato financeiro e as necessidades de informação para as tomadas de decisão internas: estudo empírico nos municípios portugueses

O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em identificar as necessidades de informação dos utilizadores municipais e aferir a utilidade do atual modelo de relato financeiro municipal para a satisfação dessas necessidades no contexto das tomadas de decisão internas, na Administração Local portuguesa. Os dados foram obtidos através da aplicação de um questionário aos tomadores de decisões (técnicos e políticos) dos 308 municípios portugueses. Os resultados sugerem que não existem diferenças significativas entre o grupo de decisores relativamente às necessidades de informação financeira e à utilidade atribuída ao relato financeiro municipal e mostram uma utilidade elevada para as tomadas de decisão do relato financeiro municipal, na sua forma e conteúdo atuais. Adicionalmente, verificou-se que não existe evidência estatística que permita associar a área de formação e a experiência profissional dos decisores internos municipais com as necessidades de informação financeira e de gestão e a utilidade atribuída ao relato financeiro municipal. Constata-se ainda, que a utilidade do relato financeiro municipal não é, no seu todo, afetada pelas necessidades de informação financeira dos utilizadores internos municipais

A utilidade do reporte financeiro para as tomadas de decisão internas nos municípios portugueses

The aim of this study is to analyse the perceptions of internal users regarding the usefulness of financial reporting in the context of decision-making of Portuguese Local Administration. To do this, a survey questionnaire to all municipalities’ decision-makers (both technical and political) was carried out. The main findings suggest that usefulness of municipalities’ financial reporting, in its current form and content, is high. Nevertheless, this usefulness would increase with the introduction of other information apart from the one that is currently required to disclose. In general, the two different groups of decision-makers – technical and political – have a slightly different behaviour with respect to the usefulness attributed to municipalities’ financial reporting, within the context of internal decision-making. The technical decision-makers assign more usefulness than politicians. Additionally, there is a preference, albeit slight, by all users for cash-based budgetary information, although accrual-based information (patrimonial and cost accounting) also reveals a high usefulness

The usefulness of financial reporting for internal decision-making in Portuguese municipalities

Purpose – The article aims to analyse the perception of the internal users regarding the usefulness of the municipal financial reporting in the context of decision-making in the Portuguese local administration. Design/methodology/approach – This research is quantitative and positive, based on a cross-section analysis through the online application of a questionnaire to the decision makers (politicians and technicians) of the 308 Portuguese municipalities. The approach is based on the paradigm of information usefulness. Findings – The results indicate a high usefulness for the decision making of the municipal financial reporting, in its current form and content. However, this usefulness would increase if information, other than what is mandatory, were introduced. In general, the two different groups of decision makers, politicians and technicians, behave somewhat differently, regarding the usefulness that the financial reporting holds for them. The technical decision makers consider it of greater value. There is no statistical evidence that shows that there is a link between the training area and professional experience of the internal decision makers and the usefulness of the municipal financial reporting. Both types of users show a preference for the information set within the budgetary accounts, although accrual-based information also proves to be of excellent value. Research limitations/implications – The main limitations of this study are related to the way information was collected (questionnaire) to obtain empirical evidence. The questionnaire, sent by email, despite reaching a wide-ranging and dispersed population, does not assess the truthfulness and integrity of the responses. Furthermore, it does not make it possible to really identify the usefulness of the municipal financial reporting. The use of perceptive measures can also represent a threat to the study’s internal validity. Practical implications – The results of this study have important repercussions on the internal decision makers concerning the usefulness of the municipal financial reporting. Particularly, since the general approach towards the usefulness of the reporting could become a solid work basis for the regulatory bodies to enhance the current reporting model in the light of its suitability within the internal decision making. Originality/value – Research on this study is original as it provides, as far as the authors are aware, the first empirical evidence of the perceptions of internal users on the usefulness of the municipal financial reporting in Portugal, in regard to decision making

Superbeams versus Neutrino Factories

We compare the physics potential of planned superbeams with the one of neutrino factories. Therefore, the experimental setups as well as the most relevant uncertainties and errors are considered on the same footing as much as possible. We use an improved analysis including the full parameter correlations, as well as statistical, systematical, and degeneracy errors. Especially, degeneracies have so far not been taken into account in a numerical analysis. We furthermore include external input, such as improved knowledge of the solar oscillation parameters from the KamLAND experiment. This allows us to determine the limiting uncertainties in all cases. For a specific comparison, we choose two representatives of each class: For the superbeam, we take the first conceivable setup, namely the JHF to SuperKamiokande experiment, as well as, on a longer time scale, the JHF to HyperKamiokande experiment. For the neutrino factory, we choose an initially conceivable setup and an advanced machine. We determine the potential to measure the small mixing angle sin^2 2 theta_{13}, the sign of Delta m^2_{31}, and the leptonic CP phase \deltacp, which also implies that we compare the limitations of the different setups. We find interesting results, such as the complete loss of the sensitivity to the sign of Delta m^2_{31} due to degeneracies in many cases.Comment: Revised version with JHF energy resolution corrected, discussion of detector issues added (App. B), and references added. Summary and conclusions unchanged. 51 pages, 28 figures, 4 table

Design and validation of a socio-emotional questionnaire for youth football players

Con el objetivo de detectar y controlar los factores socio-emocionales que influyen en la progresión del joven futbolista, se diseñó un cuestionario auto-cumplimentado de 40 ítems, agrupados en 3 dimensiones (entorno social, bienestar e inteligencia emocional). Se analizó la validez de contenido mediante la valoración de 14 expertos y la validez de constructo mediante análisis factorial. Se evaluó la fiabilidad del cuestionario, administrándolo a jóvenes futbolistas de élite (n=281) y analizando la consistencia interna por el método del Alfa de Cronbach y la fiabilidad test-retest mediante el coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI). El análisis factorial confirmó la existencia de 18 categorías, que en conjunto explican el 65,40% de la varianza total. El Alfa de Cronbach del cuestionario fue de 0,944 (p<0,01) y el CCI de 0,894 (p<0,01). El cuestionario reúne suficientes propiedades psicométricas como para ser considerado una herramienta válida y fiable para medir el entorno socio-emocional de jóvenes futbolistas.The objective of this study was to design a valid questionnaire to detect and manage the socio-emotional factors that influence the performance of young football players. A group of specialists designed a self-completion questionnaire of 40 items grouped into 3 dimensions. Content validity was analysed and evaluated by 14 experts and construct validity was analysed by factorial analysis. To evaluate reliability the questionnaire was administered to young elite football players, and internal consistency was analysed with Cronbach’s alpha. Test-retest reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Factor analysis confirmed the existence of 18 factors, which as a whole explained 65.40% of the total variance. The Cronbach’s alpha of the questionnaire was 0.944 (p<0.01) and the ICC of the entire questionnaire was 0.894 (p<0.01). The questionnaire gathers together enough psychometric properties to be considered a valid and reliable tool for gauging the socio-emotional environment of young football players