Suppressing lepton flavor violation in a soft-wall extra dimension

A soft-wall warped extra dimension allows one to relax the tight constraints imposed by electroweak data in conventional Randall-Sundrum models. We investigate a setup, where the lepton flavor structure of the standard model is realized by split fermion locations. Bulk fermions with general locations are not analytically tractable in a soft-wall background, so we follow a numerical approach to perform the Kaluza-Klein reduction. Lepton flavor violation is induced by the exchange of Kaluza-Klein gauge bosons. We find that rates for processes such as muon-electron conversion are significantly reduced compared to hard-wall models, allowing for a Kaluza-Klein scale as low as 2 TeV. Accommodating small neutrino masses forces one to introduce a large hierarchy of scales into the model, making pressing the question of a suitable stabilization mechanism

Constraining an Expanding Locally Anisotropic metric from the Pioneer anomaly

It is discussed the possibility of a fine-tuneable contribution to the two way Doppler acceleration either towards, either outwards the Sun for heliocentric distances above 20 AU by considering a background described by an Expanding Locally Anisotropic (ELA) metric. This metric encodes both the standard local Schwarzschild gravitational effects and the cosmological Universe expansion effects allowing simultaneously to fine-tune other gravitational effects at intermediate scales, which may be tentatively interpreted as a covariant parameterization of either cold dark matter either gravitational interaction corrections. Are derived bounds for the ELA metric functional parameter by considering the bounds on the deviation from standard General Relativity imposed by the current updated limits for the Pioneer anomaly, taking in consideration both the natural outgassing and on-board radiation pressure, resulting in an average Doppler acceleration outwards the Sun of a_p = +0.4^{+2.1}_{-2.0} x 10^{-10} (m/s^2). It is also computed the mass-energy density for the ELA metric within the bounds obtained and are discussed the respective contributions to the cosmological mass-energy density which, for compatibility with the Lambda-CDM model, are included in Omega_{CDM}.Comment: 22 pages; 6 figures; based on arXiv:1102.2061 with updated estimative for Pioneer anomal

A problem structuring method for ecosystem-based management : the DPSIR modelling process

The purpose of this paper is to learn from Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory to inform the development of Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs) both in general and in the specific context of marine management. The focus on marine management is important because it is concerned with a CAS (formed through the interconnection between natural systems, designed systems and social systems) which exemplifies their particularly ‘wicked' nature. Recognition of this compels us to take seriously the need to develop tools for knowledge elicitation and structuring which meet the demands of CAS. In marine management, chief among those tools is the DPSIR (Drivers - Pressures - State Changes - Impacts - Responses) model and, although widely applied, the extent to which it is appropriate for dealing with the demands of a CAS is questionable. Such questioning is particularly pertinent in the context of the marine environment where there is a need to not only recognise a broad range of stakeholders (a question of boundary critique) but also to manage competing knowledge (economic, local and scientific) and value claims. Hence this paper emphasises how a CAS perspective might add impetus to the development of a critical perspective on DPSIR and PSM theory and practice to promote a more systemic view of decision-making and policy development

Management of the marine environment: Integrating ecosystem services and societal benefits with the DPSIR framework in a systems approach

Ever increasing and diverse use of the marine environment is leading to human-induced changes in marine life, habitats and landscapes, making necessary the development of marine policy that considers all members of the user community and addresses current, multiple, interacting uses. Taking a systems approach incorporating an understanding of The Ecosystem Approach, we integrate the DPSIR framework with ecosystem services and societal benefits, and the focus this gives allows us to create a specific framework for supporting decision making in the marine environment. Based on a linking of these three concepts, we present a set of basic postulates for the management of the marine environment and emphasise that these postulates should hold for marine management to be achieved. We illustrate these concepts using two case studies: the management of marine aggregates extraction in UK waters and the management of marine biodiversity at Flamborough Head, UK. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

New Methods of Financial White-Collar Criminal Investigation and Prosecution: The Spillover of Wiretaps to Civil Enforcement Proceedings

To have a proper understanding of the questions presented by the Rajaratnam cases, a basic understanding of the criminal and civil cases is necessary. Accordingly, Part II will briefly discuss the facts of the two cases, the investigation, and relevant court rulings. Part III will briefly discuss the history and relevant provisions of Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act , the “comprehensive scheme” for regulating the authorization and disclosure of wiretaps. Part IV will discuss the primary theories the SEC could have used to obtain wiretap recordings for use in its civil enforcement proceeding, namely disclosure from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and from the civil defendant. This Part will also discuss timing as a factor for disclosure. Finally, in Part V, I will conclude with policy recommendations regarding how the issue can be more clearly resolved by congressional action and what the SEC can do to increase the likelihood of disclosure during discovery or otherwise

Preliminary Executive Summary: ASERL Interlibrary Loan Needs Assessment and Best Practices Survey

A working group of ASERL librarians designed a survey to assess resource sharing issues and identify best practices. The results will assist ASERL in identifying programming and project areas to support resource sharing. The survey will also produce ILL and resource sharing benchmarks useful for future planning and assessment. The survey inquires into fundamental resource sharing outputs, networks, and technologies. To measure current best practices, the survey also incorporates Rethinking Resource Sharing STARS A Checklist Interlibrary Loan Assessment, devised by ALA/RUSA/STARS

Tenn-Share Statewide Library Courier Survey

This is a interlibrary loan shipping and courier needs assessment survey of the Tenn-Share Library Consortium. The results will assist Tenn-Share in exploring shipping options for libraries across Tennessee. Participants will be asked to answer questions related to their institutions’ interlibrary services and resource sharing operations. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. There are no foreseen risks to participating in this project. Information in the responses will be kept confidential and data will be stored securely by the Principal Investigator (PI). Data will be reported in aggregate form to the Tenn-Share membership, and in subsequent presentations and publications