Neutrino oscillations and Lorentz Invariance Violation in a Finslerian Geometrical model

Neutrino oscillations are one of the first evidences of physics beyond the Standard Model (SM). Since Lorentz Invariance is a fundamental symmetry of the SM, recently also neutrino physics has been explored to verify the eventual modification of this symmetry and its potential magnitude. In this work we study the consequences of the introduction of Lorentz Invariance Violation (LIV) in the high energy neutrinos propagation and evaluate the impact of this eventual violation on the oscillation predictions. An effective theory explaining these physical effects is introduced via Modified Dispersion Relations. This approach, originally introduced by Coleman and Glashow, corresponds in our model to a modification of the special relativity geometry. Moreover, the generalization of this perspective leads to the introduction of a maximum attainable velocity which is specific of the particle. This can be formalized in Finsler geometry, a more general theory of space-time. In the present paper the impact of this kind of LIV on neutrino phenomenology is studied, in particular by analyzing the corrections introduced in neutrino oscillation probabilities for different values of neutrino energies and baselines of experimental interest. The possibility of further improving the present constraints on CPT-even LIV coefficients by means of our analysis is also discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication with minor revisions, will appear on European Physics Journal

Flight deck engine advisor

The focus of this project is on alerting pilots to impending events in such a way as to provide the additional time required for the crew to make critical decisions concerning non-normal operations. The project addresses pilots' need for support in diagnosis and trend monitoring of faults as they affect decisions that must be made within the context of the current flight. Monitoring and diagnostic modules developed under the NASA Faultfinder program were restructured and enhanced using input data from an engine model and real engine fault data. Fault scenarios were prepared to support knowledge base development activities on the MONITAUR and DRAPhyS modules of Faultfinder. An analysis of the information requirements for fault management was included in each scenario. A conceptual framework was developed for systematic evaluation of the impact of context variables on pilot action alternatives as a function of event/fault combinations

Predicting and preventing mistakes in human-robot collaborative assembly

The human-robot collaboration (HRC) in industrial assembly cells leads to great benefits by combining the flexibility of human worker with the accuracy and strength of robot. On the other hand, collaborative works between such different operators can generate risks and faults unknown in current industrial processes, either manual or automatic. To fully exploit the new collaborative paradigm, it is therefore essential to identify these risks before the collaborative robots are introduced in industry and start working together with humans. In the present study the authors analyze a benchmark set of general assembly tasks performed by HRC in a laboratory environment. The analyses are executed with the use of an adapted Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to identify potential mistakes which can be made by human operator and robot. The outcomes are employed to define proper mistake proofing methods to be applied in the HRC assembly work cell

Readings with Exercises for Advanced ESL Students

Readings in English for non-native speakers are usually simplified and controlled so that the students will not be overwhelmed by the linguistic complexity of the reading passage. For advanced English language students however, simplification is no longer useful or necessary. The student\u27s interest in reading real material should be met by choosing material that is of high interest value. This project contains three readings which, although edited, have not been simplified. The readings have been chosen for their potential interest value to the ESL student. Exercises accompany each reading. It is the author\u27s contention that for advanced level students, grammar and vocabulary exercises are not as important as skill-building exercises. The types of exercises used in this project are: 1. Comprehension, 2. Word Forms, 3. Cloze Passages, 4. Phrase Meaning, 5. Skimming, 6. Reading Reconstruction. An appendix contains background material which will be of interest to the teacher. Included are: SQ3R Method, Cloze Procedure and The Fourteen Master Words

Analysis of X-ray flares in GRBs

We present a detailed study of the spectral and temporal properties of the X-ray flares emission of several GRBs. We select a sample of GRBs which X-ray light curve exhibits large amplitude variations with several rebrightenings superposed on the underlying three-segment broken powerlaw that is often seen in Swift GRBs. We try to understand the origin of these fluctuations giving some diagnostic in order to discriminate between refreshed shocks and late internal shocks. For some bursts our time-resolved spectral analysis supports the interpretation of a long-lived central engine, with rebrightenings consistent with energy injection in refreshed shocks as slower shells generated in the central engine prompt phase catch up with the afterglow shock at later times.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures. Invited talk at the Swift-Venice 2006 meeting to be published by "Il Nuovo Cimento

The X-ray afterglow of GRB 081109A: clue to the wind bubble structure

We present the prompt BAT and afterglow XRT data of Swift-discovered GRB081109A up to ~ 5\times 10^5 sec after the trigger, and the early ground-based optical follow-ups. The temporal and spectral indices of the X-ray afterglow emission change remarkably. We interpret this as the GRB jet first traversing the freely expanding supersonic stellar wind of the progenitor with density varying as $\rho \propto r^{-2}$. Then after approximately 300 sec the jet traverses into a region of apparent constant density similar to that expected in the stalled-wind region of a stellar wind bubble or the interstellar medium (ISM). The optical afterglow data are generally consistent with such a scenario. Our best numerical model has a wind density parameter {$A_{*} \sim 0.02$, a density of the stalled wind $n\sim 0.12 {\rm cm}^{-3}$, and a transition radius $\sim 4.5 \times 10^{17}$ cm}. Such a transition radius is smaller than that predicted by numerical simulations of the stellar wind bubbles and may be due to a rapidly evolving wind of the progenitor close to the time of its core-collapse.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, MNRAS accepted for publicatio