Optimizing release planning under Scrum in complex multi-team software projects. Case: Nokia Siemens Networks

The aim of this thesis was to identify and explore existing challenges in large-scale agile projects and to provide recommendations on how to optimize release planning and tracking methods under Scrum in a complex multi-team software development environment. Importance of velocity and effort estimations, as well as visibility and allocation of user stories in a multi-team setting were particularly addressed in this study. The results of this study include empirical findings related to agile release planning and tracking methods in a complex agile development environment to support more accurate decision-making. New management tools were developed for practical use, which support the main results of this thesis. The findings are based on an actual case study and full-time thesis work at Nokia Siemens Networks. The results were presented to the leadership team and management of the organization where I worked, and demonstrated practical benefit for the case company. Additionally, this thesis includes a practical application of results to highlight how improved visibility could support better release planning and tracking in multi-team agile software development projects. The tools proved to be useful and were put to deployment in the case company

First Measurement of Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering on Argon

We report the first measurement of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (\cevns) on argon using a liquid argon detector at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Spallation Neutron Source. Two independent analyses prefer \cevns over the background-only null hypothesis with greater than $3\sigma$ significance. The measured cross section, averaged over the incident neutrino flux, is (2.2 $\pm$ 0.7) $\times$10$^{-39}$ cm$^2$ -- consistent with the standard model prediction. The neutron-number dependence of this result, together with that from our previous measurement on CsI, confirms the existence of the \cevns process and provides improved constraints on non-standard neutrino interactions.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures with 2 pages, 6 figures supplementary material V3: fixes to figs 3,4 V4: fix typo in table 1, V5: replaced missing appendix, V6: fix Eq 1, new fig 3, V7 final version, updated with final revision

Direct Determination of Fission-Barrier Heights Using Light-Ion Transfer in Inverse Kinematics

We demonstrate a new technique for obtaining fission data for nuclei away from $\beta$-stability. These types of data are pertinent to the astrophysical \textit{r-}process, crucial to a complete understanding of the origin of the heavy elements, and for developing a predictive model of fission. These data are also important considerations for terrestrial applications related to power generation and safeguarding. Experimentally, such data are scarce due to the difficulties in producing the actinide targets of interest. The solenoidal-spectrometer technique, commonly used to study nucleon-transfer reactions in inverse kinematics, has been applied to the case of transfer-induced fission as a means to deduce the fission-barrier height, among other variables. The fission-barrier height of $^{239}$U has been determined via the $^{238}$U($d$,$pf$) reaction in inverse kinematics, the results of which are consistent with existing neutron-induced fission data indicating the validity of the technique

Study of the Isomeric State in 16^{16}N Using the 16^{16}Ng,m^{g,m}(dd,3^3He) Reaction

The isomeric state of $^{16}$N was studied using the $^{16}$N$^{g,m}$($d$,$^3$He)~proton-removal reactions at \mbox{11.8~MeV/$u$} in inverse kinematics. The $^{16}$N beam, of which 24% was in the isomeric state, was produced using the ATLAS in-fight facility and delivered to the HELIOS spectrometer, which was used to analyze the $^{3}$He ions from the ($d$,$^{3}$He) reactions. The simultaneous measurement of reactions on both the ground and isomeric states, reduced the systematic uncertainties from the experiment and in the analysis. A direct and reliable comparison of the relative spectroscopic factors was made based on a Distorted-Wave Born Approximation approach. The experimental results suggest that the isomeric state of $^{16}$N is an excited neutron-halo state. The results can be understood through calculations using a Woods-Saxon potential model, which captures the effects of weak-binding.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figur

First Results from The GlueX Experiment

The GlueX experiment at Jefferson Lab ran with its first commissioning beam in late 2014 and the spring of 2015. Data were collected on both plastic and liquid hydrogen targets, and much of the detector has been commissioned. All of the detector systems are now performing at or near design specifications and events are being fully reconstructed, including exclusive production of $\pi^{0}$, $\eta$ and $\omega$ mesons. Linearly-polarized photons were successfully produced through coherent bremsstrahlung and polarization transfer to the $\rho$ has been observed.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, Invited contribution to the Hadron 2015 Conference, Newport News VA, September 201

Probing the quadrupole transition strength of C15 via deuteron inelastic scattering

Deuteron elastic scattering from $^{15}$C and inelastic scattering reactions to the first excited state of $^{15}$C were studied using a radioactive beam of $^{15}$C in inverse kinematics. The scattered deuterons were measured using HELIOS. The elastic scattering differential cross sections were analyzed using the optical model. A matter deformation length δd = 1.04(11) fm has been extracted from the differential cross sections of inelastic scattering to the first excited state. The ratio of neutron and proton matrix elements Mn/Mp = 3.6(4) has been determined from this quadrupole transition. Neutron effective charges and core-polarization parameters of $^{15}$C were determined and discussed. Results from ab initio no-core configuration interaction calculations were also compared with the experimental observations. This result supports a moderate core decoupling effect of the valence neutron in $^{15}$C similarly to its isotone $^{17}$O, in line with the interpretation of other neutron-rich carbon isotopes.Deuteron elastic scattering from 15C and inelastic scattering reactions to the first excited state of 15C were studied using a radioactive beam of 15C in inverse kinematics. The scattered deuterons were measured using HELIOS. The elastic scattering differential cross sections were analyzed using the optical model. A matter deformation length δd = 1.04(11) fm has been extracted from the differential cross sections of inelastic scattering to the first excited state. The ratio of neutron and proton matrix elements Mn/Mp = 3.6(4) has been determined from this quadrupole transition. Neutron effective charges and core-polarization parameters of 15C were determined and discussed. Results from ab-initio no-core configuration interaction calculations were also compared with the experimental observations. This result supports a moderate core decoupling effect of the valence neutron in 15C similarly to its isotone 17O, in line with the interpretation of other neutron-rich carbon isotopes