Comment on "Long Time Evolution of Phase Oscillator Systems" [Chaos 19,023117 (2009), arXiv:0902.2773]

A previous paper (arXiv:0902.2773, henceforth referred to as I) considered a general class of problems involving the evolution of large systems of globally coupled phase oscillators. It was shown there that, in an appropriate sense, the solutions to these problems are time asymptotically attracted toward a reduced manifold of system states (denoted M). This result has considerable utility in the analysis of these systems, as has been amply demonstrated in recent papers. In this note, we show that the analysis of I can be modified in a simple way that establishes significant extensions of the range of validity of our previous result. In particular, we generalize I in the following ways: (1) attraction to M is now shown for a very general class of oscillator frequency distribution functions g(\omega), and (2) a previous restriction on the allowed class of initial conditions is now substantially relaxed

Leading Anti-Doping in the IOC: the ambiguous role of Prince Alexandre de Merode

First paragraph: From the sixties, the Olympic Games became one of the visible and international battlegrounds on drugs in sport. This is not to say that other areas were not important. Elite level events in cycling, athletics, weight-lifting and other sports provided key moments, scandals and a catalyst for policy changes. However, the historical and cultural symbolism of the Olympics charged the doping question with more significance than any other event or sport ever did. While a number of critical histories have detailed the failings and struggles of the IOC's fight against doping, none has directly asked the question, What was the contribution of the man who held the most important position in global anti-doping for over 30 years? Prince Alexandre de Merode was Chairman of the IOC Medal Commission from 1967 until his death in 2002

Measurement of the resonant and CP components in B¯0→J/ψπ+π− decays

The resonant structure of the reaction B¯0→J/ψπ+π− is studied using data from 3  fb−1 of integrated luminosity collected by the LHCb experiment, one third at 7 TeV center-of-mass energy and the remainder at 8 TeV. The invariant mass of the π+π− pair and three decay angular distributions are used to determine the fractions of the resonant and nonresonant components. Six interfering π+π− states, ρ(770), f0(500), f2(1270), ρ(1450), ω(782) and ρ(1700), are required to give a good description of invariant mass spectra and decay angular distributions. The positive and negative charge parity fractions of each of the resonant final states are determined. The f0(980) meson is not seen and the upper limit on its presence, compared with the observed f0(500) rate, is inconsistent with a model where these scalar mesons are formed from two quarks and two antiquarks (tetraquarks) at the eight standard deviation level. In the qq¯ model, the absolute value of the mixing angle between the f0(980) and the f0(500) scalar mesons is limited to be less than 17° at 90% confidence level.National Science Foundation (U.S.)United States. Dept. of Energ

Measurement of the Z+b-jet cross-section in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV in the forward region

The associated production of a Z boson or an off-shell photon γ * with a bottom quark in the forward region is studied using proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. The Z bosons are reconstructed in the [Z over γ] * → μ [superscript +] μ [superscript −] final state from muons with a transverse momentum larger than 20 GeV, while two transverse momentum thresholds are considered for jets (10 GeV and 20 GeV). Both muons and jets are reconstructed in the pseudorapidity range 2.0 < η < 4.5. The results are based on data corresponding to 1.0 fb [superscript −1] recorded in 2011 with the LHCb detector. The measurement of the Z+b-jet cross-section is normalized to the Z+jet cross-section. The measured cross-sections are 0.1 σ( [Z over γ] *(μ[superscript+] μ[superscript −]) + b-jet) = 295 ± 60 (stat) ± 51 (syst) ± 10 (lumi) fb for p [subscript T] (jet) > 10 GeV, and 0.2 σ( [Z over γ]*(μ[superscript +] μ[superscript −]) + b-jet)=128±36 (stat) ±22 (syst) ±5 (lumi) fb for p [subscript T](jet) > 20 GeV.National Science Foundation (U.S.

Measurement of the forward W boson cross-section in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

A measurement of the inclusive W → μν production cross-section using data from pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √s=7 TeV is presented. The analysis is based on an integrated luminosity of about 1.0 fb[superscript −1] recorded with the LHCb detector. Results are reported for muons with a transverse momentum greater than 20 [GeV over c] and pseudorapidity between 2.0 and 4.5. The W [superscript +] and W [superscript −] production cross-sections are measured to be σW[superscript +]→μ[superscript +]ν=861.0±2.0±11.2±14.7pb, σW[superscript −]→μ[superscript −] [bar over ν] = 675.8±1.9±8.8±11.6pb, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic and the third is due to the luminosity determination. Cross-section ratios and differential distributions as functions of the muon pseudorapidity are also presented. The ratio of W [superscript +] to W [superscript −] cross-sections in the same fiducial kinematic region is determined to be σW [superscript +] → μ [superscript +] ν [over σW [superscript −] → μ [superscript −] [bar over ν]] = 1.274±0.005±0.009, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. Results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions at next-to-next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics.National Science Foundation (U.S.

High Voltage Dielectrophoretic and Magnetophoretic Hybrid Integrated Circuit / Microfluidic Chip

A hybrid integrated circuit (IC)/microfluidic chip is presented that independently and simultaneously traps and moves microscopic objects suspended in fluid using both electric and magnetic fields. This hybrid chip controls the location of dielectric objects, such as living cells and drops of fluid, on a 60 times 61 array of pixels that are 30 times 38 mum2 in size, each of which can be individually addressed with a 50-V peak-to-peak dc-to-10-MHz radio-frequency voltage. These high-voltage pixels produce electric fields above the chip's surface with a magnitude |oarrE| ap 1 V/ mum, resulting in strong dielectrophoresis (DEP) forces |oarrFDEP| ap 1 nN. Underneath the array of DEP pixels, there is a magnetic matrix that consists of two perpendicular sets of 60 metal wires running across the chip. Each wire can be sourced with 120 mA to trap and move magnetically susceptible objects using magnetophoresis. The DEP pixel array and magnetic matrix can be used simultaneously to apply forces to microscopic objects, such as living cells or lipid vesicles, that are tagged with magnetic nanoparticles. The capabilities of the hybrid IC/microfluidic chip demonstrated in this paper provide important building blocks for a platform for biological and chemical applications.Engineering and Applied Science

Simulation Evaluation of Controller-Managed Spacing Tools under Realistic Operational Conditions

Controller-Managed Spacing (CMS) tools have been developed to aid air traffic controllers in managing high volumes of arriving aircraft according to a schedule while enabling them to fly efficient descent profiles. The CMS tools are undergoing refinement in preparation for field demonstration as part of NASA's Air Traffic Management (ATM) Technology Demonstration-1 (ATD-1). System-level ATD-1 simulations have been conducted to quantify expected efficiency and capacity gains under realistic operational conditions. This paper presents simulation results with a focus on CMS-tool human factors. The results suggest experienced controllers new to the tools find them acceptable and can use them effectively in ATD-1 operations

Observation of Overlapping Spin-1 and Spin-3 D¯0K− Resonances at Mass 2.86 GeV/c2

The resonant substructure of B_{s}^{0}→D[over ¯]^{0}K^{-}π^{+} decays is studied using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb^{-1} of pp collision data recorded by the LHCb detector. An excess at m(D[over ¯]^{0}K^{-})≈2.86  GeV/c^{2} is found to be an admixture of spin-1 and spin-3 resonances. Therefore, the D_{sJ}^{*}(2860)^{-} state previously observed in inclusive e^{+}e^{-}→D[over ¯]^{0}K^{-}X and pp→D[over ¯]^{0}K^{-}X processes consists of at least two particles. This is the first observation of a heavy flavored spin-3 resonance, and the first time that any spin-3 particle has been seen to be produced in B decays. The masses and widths of the new states and of the D_{s2}^{*}(2573)^{-} meson are measured, giving the most precise determinations to date.National Science Foundation (U.S.)United States. Dept. of Energ

Precision Measurement of the Mass and Lifetime of the Ξ0b Baryon

Using a proton-proton collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb[superscript −1] collected by LHCb at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, about 3800 Ξ0b→Ξ+cπ−, Ξ+c→pK−π+ signal decays are reconstructed. From this sample, the first measurement of the Ξ0b baryon lifetime is made, relative to that of the Λ0b baryon. The mass differences M(Ξ0b)−M(Λ0b) and M(Ξ+c)−M(Λ+c) are also measured with precision more than 4 times better than the current world averages. The resulting values are τΞ0bτΛ0b=1.006±0.018±0.010,M(Ξ0b)−M(Λ0b)=172.44±0.39±0.17  MeV/c2,M(Ξ+c)−M(Λ+c)=181.51±0.14±0.10  MeV/c2, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The relative rate of Ξ0b to Λ0b baryon production is measured to be fΞ0bfΛ0bB(Ξ0b→Ξ+cπ−)B(Λ0b→Λ+cπ−)B(Ξ+c→pK−π+)B(Λ+c→pK−π+)=(1.88±0.04±0.03)×10−2, where the first factor is the ratio of fragmentation fractions, b→Ξ0b relative to b→Λ0b. Relative production rates as functions of transverse momentum and pseudorapidity are also presented.National Science Foundation (U.S.