Standard and exotic interpretations of the atmospheric neutrino data

The present status of some theoretical interpretations of the atmospheric neutrino deficit is briefly discussed. Specifically, we show the results for the FC mechanism and for the standard oscillation hypothesis, both in the active and in the sterile channels. All these mechanisms are able to fit the present data to a good statistical level. Among them, the nu_mu --> nu_tau oscillation is certainly the best explanation to the atmospheric neutrino deficit, providing a remarkably good agreement with the data.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, talk delivered at the 6th International Workshop on Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics (TAUP 99), September 1999, Paris, (to appear in the Conference Proceedings, Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.), eds. M. Froissart, J. Dumarchez and D. Vignaud

Neutrino masses and mixing angles from leptoquark interactions

In this paper we show that the mixing between leptoquarks (LQ's) from different $SU(2)_l$ multiplets can generate a non-trivial Majorana mass matrix for neutrinos through one loop self energy diagrams. Such mixing can arise from gauge invariant and renormalizable LQ-Higgs interaction terms after EW symmetry breaking. We use the experimental indication on neutrino oscillation to find constraints on specific combinations of LQ couplings to quark-lepton pairs and to the SM higgs boson. These constraints are compared with the ones from $\pi\to e\bar {\nu}_e$.Comment: The expressions for majorana mass matrix of neutrinos have been corrected so that they are symmetric. Final version to be published in Physical Review

Computing Groebner Fans

This paper presents algorithms for computing the Groebner fan of an arbitrary polynomial ideal. The computation involves enumeration of all reduced Groebner bases of the ideal. Our algorithms are based on a uniform definition of the Groebner fan that applies to both homogeneous and non-homogeneous ideals and a proof that this object is a polyhedral complex. We show that the cells of a Groebner fan can easily be oriented acyclically and with a unique sink, allowing their enumeration by the memory-less reverse search procedure. The significance of this follows from the fact that Groebner fans are not always normal fans of polyhedra in which case reverse search applies automatically. Computational results using our implementation of these algorithms in the software package Gfan are included.Comment: 26 page

The Dual Meissner Effect and Magnetic Displacement Currents

The dual Meissner effect is observed without monopoles in quenched $SU (2)$ QCD with Landau gauge-fixing. Magnetic displacement currents which are time-dependent Abelian magnetic fields play a role of solenoidal currents squeezing Abelian electric fields. Monopoles are not always necessary to the dual Meissner effect. The squeezing of the electric flux means the dual London equation and the massiveness of the Abelian electric fields as an asymptotic field. The mass generation of the Abelian electric fields is related to a gluon condensate $\neq 0$ of mass dimension 2.Comment: 4 pages, 5 Postscript figures, title modified, some references added, minor changes made ; Accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.Let

Low temperature vortex liquid states induced by quantum fluctuations in the quasi two dimensional organic superconductor kappa-(BEDT-TTF)_{2} Cu(NCS)_{2}

We report the transport properties in the vortex liquid states induced by quantum fluctuations at low temperature in the layered organic superconductor kappa-(BEDT-TTF)_{2} Cu(NCS)_{2}. A steep drop of the resistivity observed below about 1 K separates the liquid state into two regions. In the low resistance state at lower temperature, a finite resistivity with weak temperature dependence persists down to 100 mK at least. The finite resistivity in the vortex state at T ~= 0 K indicates the realization of quantum vortex liquid assisted by the strong quantum fluctuations instead of the thermal one. A possible origin for separating these liquid states is a remnant vortex melting line at the original position, which is obscured and suppressed by the quantum fluctuations. A non-linear behavior of the in-plane resistivity appears at large current density in only the low resistance state, but not in another vortex liquid state at higher temperature, where the thermal fluctuations are dominant. The transport properties in the low resistance state are well understood in the vortex slush concept with a short-range order of vortices. Thus the low resistance state below 1 K is considered to be a novel quantum vortex slush state.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Lepton-nucleus scattering in the impulse approximation regime

We discuss theoretical calculations of electron- and neutrino-nucleus scattering, carried out using realistic nuclear spectral functions and including the effect of final state interactions. Comparison between electron scattering data and the calculated inclusive cross sections off oxygen shows that the Fermi gas model fails to provide a satisfactory description of the measured cross sections, and inclusion of nuclear dynamics is needed. The role of Pauli blocking in charged-current neutrino induced reactions at low $Q^2$ is also analyzed.Comment: To be published in the Proceedings of NUFACT05 (Nucl. Phys. B, Proceedings Supplements

Neutrino masses from universal Fermion mixing

If three right-handed neutrinos are added to the Standard Model, then, for the three known generations, there are six quarks and six leptons. It is then natural to assume that the symmetry considerations that have been applied to the quark matrices are also valid for the lepton mass matrices. Under this assumption, the solar and atmospheric neutrino data can be used to determine the individual neutrino masses. Using the \chi^2 fit, it is found that the mass of the lightest neutrino is (2-5)\times10^{-3} eV, that of the next heavier neutrino is (10-13)\times10^{-3} eV, while the mass of the heaviest neutrino is (52-54)\times10^{-3} eV.Comment: 27 pages, LaTeX, including several figure

Verifiable Model of Neutrino Masses from Large Extra Dimensions

We propose a new scenario of neutrino masses with a Higgs triplet $(\xi^{++},\xi^+,\xi^0)$ in a theory of large extra dimensions. Lepton number violation in a distant brane acts as the source of a very small trilinear coupling of $\xi$ to the standard Higgs doublet in our brane. Small realistic Majorana neutrino masses are \underline{naturally} obtained with the fundamental scale $M_* \sim {\cal O}(1)$ TeV, foretelling the possible discovery of $\xi$ (m_\xi\lsim M_*) at future colliders. Decays of $\xi^{++}$ into same-sign dileptons are fixed by the neutrino mass matrix. Observation of $\mu-e$ conversion in nuclei is predicted.Comment: A comment on Tevatron reach and two references added. Discussion and conclusions unchange

Design and Observation of Steep Reinforced Embankments

Using the design method proposed by R. A. Jewell et al. numerous steep reinforced embankments have been constructed in the authors’ home country since the year 1984. In fact these soil structures are built with the reinforcement of polymer grids (the so-called geogrids invented by F. B. Mercer of U.K.) which have a unique structural composition with high-tensile and low-ductility characteristics. This paper deals with first the development of steep reinforced soil structures and their design method, and then introduces a well-documented case history of steep reinforced embankment. The authors propose a current design method developed on the basis of the findings obtained from the observations at several steep reinforced embankments including the present one of the case history. And finally an ultimate seismic-design method for steep reinforced embankment adopted recently in Japan is presented

Symplectic Symmetry of the Neutrino Mass and the See-Saw Mechanism

We investigate the algebraic structure of the most general neutrino mass Hamiltonian and place the see-saw mechanism in an algebraic framework. We show that this Hamiltonian can be written in terms of the generators of an Sp(4) algebra. The Pauli-Gursey transformation is an SU(2) rotation which is embedded in this Sp(4) group. This SU(2) also generates the see-saw mechanism.Comment: 11 pages, REVTE