Quark and lepton masses and mixing in the landscape

Even if quark and lepton masses are not uniquely predicted by the fundamental theory, as may be the case in the string theory landscape, nevertheless their pattern may reveal features of the underlying theory. We use statistical techniques to show that the observed masses appear to be representative of a scale invariant distribution, rho(m) ~ 1/m. If we extend this distribution to include all the Yukawa couplings, we show that the resulting CKM matrix elements typically show a hierarchical pattern similar to observations. The Jarlskog invariant measuring the amount of CP violation is also well reproduced in magnitude. We also apply this framework to neutrinos using the seesaw mechanism. The neutrino results are ambiguous, with the observed pattern being statistically allowed even though the framework does not provide a natural explanation for the observed two large mixing angles. Our framework highly favors a normal hierarchy of neutrino masses. We also are able to make statistical predictions in the neutrino sector when we specialize to situations consistent with the known mass differences and two large mixing angles. Within our framework, we show that with 95% confidence the presently unmeasured MNS mixing angle sin theta_{13} is larger than 0.04 and typically of order 0.1. The leptonic Jarlskog invariant is found to be typically of order 10^{-2} and the magnitude of the effective Majorana mass m_{ee} is typically of order 0.001 eV.Comment: 32 pages, 17 figures, some references adde

Detection of unsoundness and vice in horses

Citation: Ross, John F. Detection of unsoundness and vice in horses. Senior thesis, Kansas State Agricultural College, 1902.Morse Department of Special CollectionsIntroduction: What is soundness? Just what is meant by a sound horse is a much disputed question. Many litigations have arisen over the interpretation of the word. Veterinarians as a rule have very little knowledge of law and lawyers know less about veterinary subjects and hence it is difficult for them to agree upon a definition of soundness. Strictly speaking, sound, means without imperfection or blemish but such a condition is seldom if ever met with. Veterinarians define soundness from a medical point of view; lawyers look at it differently and the predominating idea among them is that a horse is sound if he is able to perform in a satisfactory way the work for which he is fitted by nature. The latter definition, though commonly accepted, is dangerous and many deceptions are fostered by it. Unsoundness is any deviation from the normal state and is therefore the perfection of animal health and form. Taplin in one of his books writes “A sound horse should possess a perfect state of both frame and bodily health, without exception or ambiguity, the total absence of blemishes as well as defects, and freedom from every imperfection and all impediments to slight and action”. The adoption of such a standard as this would put an end to much of the useless expenditure in lawyer’s fees. Lawyers realize this and insist in defining soundness in a compromising way. In this article the definition will be given its strictest interpretation, very aptly expressed in the above words of Taplin. This stand is taken on the ground that if the buyer be able to detect unsoundness he can also judge the degree to which the animals usefulness is impared

Non-isotropy in the CMB power spectrum in single field inflation

Contaldi et al. [1] have suggested that an initial period of kinetic energy domination in single field inflation may explain the lack of CMB power at large angular scales. We note that in this situation it is natural that there also be a spatial gradient in the initial value of the inflaton field, and that this can provide a spatial asymmetry in the observed CMB power spectrum, manifest at low multipoles. We investigate the nature of this asymmetry and comment on its relation to possible anomalies at low multipoles.Comment: 25 pages, 12 figures. In this revised version, we include the Integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect, which was missing from the original. This modifies some results in the low multipoles. The comparison with experiment is slightly better but the change is not statistically significan

High-pressure behaviour of zoisite

A high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) study has been carried out on two natural zoisite samples Ca 2Al 3-xFexSi 3O 12OH, one Fe-free (x = 0) and one Fe-rich (x = 0.12). The unit-cell parameters were determined for the Fe-free sample at 18 different pressures up to 7.76 GPa and for the Fe-rich sample at 13 different pressures up to 7.63 GPa. The P(V) data for both of the samples were fitted by a third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state (BM3 EoS). The equation of state coefficients are: V 0 = 903.39(5) \uc5 3, K T0 = 122.1(7) GPa, and K\u2032 0 = 6.8(2) for the Fe-free sample and V 0 = 906.95(5) \uc5 3, K T0 = 119.1(7) GPa, and K\u2032 0 = 7.3(2) for the Fe-rich sample. This shows that the addition of Fe in to the crystal structure of zoisite leads to a slight softening of the structure. Both compositions exhibit axial compressibilities \u3b2c > \u3b2 a 6b \u3b2 b, with the compressibilities of the a and b axes of the two samples being indistinguishable. The softening of the bulk modulus of zoisite with Fe content follows from softening of the c-axis of the structure. A high-pressure structural study of the Fe-free sample showed that the main compression mechanisms in the structure are the compression of soft inter-octahedral distance along [001] and soft intra-octahedral distances along [010] directions, while along [100] the main compression occurs because of the compression of stiff intra-octahedral distances. The substitution of Fe on to the M3 octahedral site of the structure leads to an increase of the intra-octahedral distance of the M3 that triggers the rotation of M12 and therefore leads to the softening of the M12 inter-octahedral distances that accounts for the softening of the c-axis of the structure

The Metamorphosis of Mass Tort Class Actions: A Fifth Circuit Perspective

Symposium - Perspectives on Procedural Issues in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circui

Farm buildings for Kansas

Citation: Ross, John F. Farm buildings for Kansas. Senior thesis, Kansas State Agricultural College, 1902.Morse Department of Special CollectionsIntroduction: This subject can be treated in a general way only in a paper of this kind. No hard and fast rules can be laid down to be followed by all farmers in all parts of the State. Nevertheless there are a few principles that must be considered before the buildings are begun. The very first thing to be considered is the location of the buildings on the farm, i.e. site or building place. This position cannot be decided upon without taking into account the shape of the farm, the nature of the ground, the lay of the land and its position in relation to the public road. In order that all fields shall be easily reached these buildings should have central position on the farm but should not be in the exact center for that would be too far back from the road. If there is a place slightly elevated above the surrounding fields, so much the better, as it will make the subject of drainage much more simple. Good drainage is one of the prime requisites in keeping the buildings, yards and grounds in proper condition. Nothing lens so much to the appearance of buildings, health of animals and the contentment of those who do the work as clean, well-drained grounds and yards. Muddy yards covered with trash are sights which will tempt some of the best of boys to leave the farm in sheer disgust. If there is little natural drainage the only thing to do is to put in artificial drainage

Infertility, psychological distress, and coping strategies among women in Mali, West Africa: a mixed-methods study

Relatively little is known about infertility and its consequences in Mali, West Africa where the context and culture are different from those of previously studied settings. This study therefore aimed to specifically examine infertility induced psychological distress and coping strategies among women in Mali. A convergent mixed-methods design—correlational cross-sectional and qualitative descriptive—guided the study. Fifty-eight infertile Malian women participated: 52 completed the Psychological Evaluation Test specific for infertility and a question on general health status, and 26 were interviewed in-depth. Over 20% scored above the cut-off point for psychological distress, and 48% described their general health as poor. There was no significant difference between women with primary vs. secondary infertility. The study found that infertile women lived with marital tensions, criticism from relatives, and stigmatization from the community. They experienced sadness, loneliness, and social deprivation. Coping strategies included traditional and biomedical treatments, religious faith and practices, and self-isolation. Health care professionals should provide holistic care for infertile women to meet their physical, spiritual, psychological, and social needs.Keywords: coping; infertility; psychological distress; Mali; mixed-method

Note and Comment

The International Law Association and Its Last Meeting; The Extent to Which the Action of Medical Boards may be Controlled By Mandamus; The Effect Upon An Illegal marriage of Cohabitiation After the Removal of the Impediment