Calculating error bars for neutrino mixing parameters

One goal of contemporary particle physics is to determine the mixing angles and mass-squared differences that constitute the phenomenological constants that describe neutrino oscillations. Of great interest are not only the best fit values of these constants but also their errors. Some of the neutrino oscillation data is statistically poor and cannot be treated by normal (Gaussian) statistics. To extract confidence intervals when the statistics are not normal, one should not utilize the value for chisquare versus confidence level taken from normal statistics. Instead, we propose that one should use the normalized likelihood function as a probability distribution; the relationship between the correct chisquare and a given confidence level can be computed by integrating over the likelihood function. This allows for a definition of confidence level independent of the functional form of the !2 function; it is particularly useful for cases in which the minimum of the !2 function is near a boundary. We present two pedagogic examples and find that the proposed method yields confidence intervals that can differ significantly from those obtained by using the value of chisquare from normal statistics. For example, we find that for the first data release of the T2K experiment the probability that chisquare is not zero, as defined by the maximum confidence level at which the value of zero is not allowed, is 92%. Using the value of chisquare at zero and assigning a confidence level from normal statistics, a common practice, gives the over estimation of 99.5%.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Decoherence assisting a measurement-driven quantum evolution process

We study the problem of driving an unknown initial mixed quantum state onto a known pure state without using unitary transformations. This can be achieved, in an efficient manner, with the help of sequential measurements on at least two unbiased bases. However here we found that, when the system is affected by a decoherence mechanism, only one observable is required in order to achieve the same goal. In this way the decoherence can assist the process. We show that, depending on the sort of decoherence, the process can converge faster or slower than the method implemented by means of two complementary observables.Comment: Four pages, three figures included ([email protected]

Neutrino Oscillations: Hierarchy Question

The only experimentally observed phenomenon that lies outside the standard model of the electroweak interaction is neutrino oscillations. A way to try to unify the extensive neutrino oscillation data is to add a phenomenological mass term to the Lagrangian that is not diagonal in the flavor basis. The goal is then to understand the world's data in terms of the parameters of the mixing matrix and the differences between the squares of the masses of the neutrinos. An outstanding question is what is the correct ordering of the masses, the hierarchy question. We point out a broken symmetry relevant to this question, the symmetry of the simultaneous interchange of hierarchy and the sign of $\theta_{13}$. We first present the results of an analysis of data that well determine the phenomenological parameters but are not sensitive to the hierarchy. We find $\theta_{13} = 0.152\pm 0.014$, $\theta_{23} = 0.25^{+0.03}_{-0.05} \pi$ and $\Delta_{32} = 2.45\pm 0.14 \times 10^{-3}$ eV$^2$, results consistent with others. We then include data that are sensitive to the hierarchy and the sign of $\theta_{13}$. We find, unlike others, four isolated minimum in the $\chi^2$-space as predicted by the symmetry. Now that Daya Bay and RENO have determined $\theta_{13}$ to be surprisingly large, the Super-K atmospheric data produce meaningful symmetry breaking such that the inverse hierarchy is preferred at the 97.2 % level.Comment: to appear in Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Fission and Neutron Rich Nuclei (ICFN5), (Sanibel Island, Florina, Nov. 4-10, 2012).10 pages, 8 figure

Unbroken supersymmetry in the Aharonov-Casher effect

We consider the problem of the bound states of a spin 1/2 chargless particle in a given Aharonov-Casher configuration. To this end we recast the description of the system in a supersymmetric form. Then the basic physical requirements for unbroken supersymmetry are established. We comment on the possibility of neutron confinement in this system

Local channels preserving maximal entanglement or Schmidt number

Maximal entanglement and Schmidt number play an important role in various quantum information tasks. In this paper, it is shown that a local channel preserves maximal entanglement state(MES) or preserves pure states with Schmidt number $r$($r$ is a fixed integer) if and only if it is a local unitary operation.Comment: 10 page

Genetic evaluation of Hevea brasiliensis [(Willd ex Adr. de Juss.) Müell. Arg.] for juvenile vigour using the Reml/Blup method.

This paper intended to estimate genetic values and parameters for plant height, diameter at the base of the plant and leaf-storey number of rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd ex Adr. de Juss.) Müell, Arg.] halfsib progenies using the míxed-model methodology (Reml/Blup procedure). The rubber tree progenies were obtained from a second generation population produced from the recombination of 30 original parents, pertaining to the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) in São Paulo state. At the age of eight months the variables were evaluated. Results demonstrated the existence of significant genetic variability among the progenies for the studied traits. The estimates of the heritability coefficient showed moderate values for both height and leaf-storey number, and low values for plant diameter at the base of the plant. There are good possibilities of genetic gain for these main traits in the context of the improvement program that was started in Mato Grosso do Sul state

Utilización de germen de malta y granos secos de cerveceria en la alimentación de cerdos en las etapas de crecimiento y acabado.

El experimento se realiza en la Sabana de Bogotá, con 40 cerdos mestizos Landrace x Duroc, alojados en 10 corrales. Los animales se distribuyen en un diseño de bloques al azar, repartidos en 2 grupos: liviano y pesado, con un peso de 17 y 27.1 kg respectivamente, a los cuales se suministran los siguientes tratamientos: 1, dieta control con torta de soya y torta de algodón, 2, dieta con 15 por ciento de germen de malta, 3, dieta con 20 por ciento de germen de malta, 4, dieta con 15 por ciento de granos secos de cerveceria, 5, dieta con 20 por ciento de granos secos de cervecería. Se hace análisis bromatológico de estos subproductos con los siguientes resultados: germen de malta: proteína total, 28.1 por ciento, grasa, 1.5 por ciento, fibra, 14.4 por ciento y cenizas, 5.5 por ciento. Granos secos de cervecería: proteína total, 30.2 por ciento, grasa, 8 por ciento, fibra, 21 por ciento, cenizas, 4.2 por ciento. Los controles de los parámetros estudiados se realizan en 2 períodos: crecimiento hasta los 47 kg y acabado de 47 a 89 kg para una mejor utilización de los datos se consideran en los dos periodos en conjunto. No se observan diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el aumento diario promedio de peso, el consumo diario de alimento y en eficiencias alimenticias. Los mejores rendimientos en canal, 83 por ciento se observaron en los animales de los tratamientos 1 y 4. Se concluye que suministrando niveles del 15 y 20 por ciento de germen de malta y granos secos de cervecería, no se afectan la ganancia diaria de peso, el consumo de alimento, la eficiencia alimenticia y la calidad de la canalPorcicultur